Box 1. Advantages of Microwave Synthesis

From the following article

Rapid preparation of the mitotic kinesin Eg5 inhibitor monastrol using controlled microwave-assisted synthesis

Doris Dallinger & C Oliver Kappe

Nature Protocols 2, 317 - 321 (2007) Published online: 1 March 2007

doi:10.1038/nprot.2006.436

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  • Higher reaction temperatures can be obtained by combining rapid microwave heating with sealed-vessel (autoclave) technology.
  • In many instances significantly reduced reaction times, higher yields and cleaner reaction profiles will be experienced, allowing for more rapid reaction optimization and library synthesis.
  • Lower boiling solvents can be used under pressure (closed-vessel conditions) and be heated at temperatures considerably higher than their boiling point.
  • Microwave heating allows direct 'in core' heating of the reaction mixture, which results in a faster and more even heating of the reaction mixture.
  • Easy online control of temperature and pressure profiles is possible, which leads to more reproducible reaction conditions.
  • Can easily be adapted to automated sequential synthesis.