Current Organic Chemistry - Volume 15, Issue 2, 2011

In order to perform a chemical reaction, energy transfer is needed in almost all cases. For many years the main source of heat for “chemical” reactions was fire and from 1855 the Bunsen burner, which provides flame by mixing air and gas, was predominantly used. Later these burners were largely replaced by electrical hotplates. Ultrasound and microwaves are considered as non-conventional energy sources when use Read More

The present review covers the topic of microwave-assisted reduction of organic compounds including catalytic (metalcatalyzed hydrogenation, catalytic transfer hydrogenation) and stochiometric reactions (ionic and transfer hydrogenation). The article is subcategorized with respect to the different functionalities which so far have been subjected to reduction: C-C multiple bonds, carbonyls, N-containing functional groups, ar Read More

The destruction of toxic organic molecules using advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) is a potent tool for pollution control and environmental protection. Ultrasound is a convenient and effective method of generating hydroxyl radicals which is the key oxidant in AOPs. This review describes the use of ultrasound and associated chemical reactions, with and without additives, as a powerful means of remediating water contami Read More

This review focuses on the synthesis of polymer-inorganic hybrid nanocoposites under microwave irradiation, a research area that has made rapid progress in the recent years. Nowadays, one of the cornerstones of the push towards the future improvements in electronics and optics technology together with the research and development is the decrease in size of the various components used for the device manufacture. The pa Read More

The copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) is generally recognized as the most striking example of “click reaction”. CuAAC fit so well into Sharpless' definition that it became almost synonymous with “click chemistry” itself. The most common catalyst systems employ Cu(II) salt in the presence of a reducing agent (i.e. sodium ascorbate) to generate the required Cu(I) catalyst in situ or as an alternative the comprop Read More

Multicomponent reactions are valuable tools for the generation of diverse heterocycles. As in many fields or organic chemistry, microwave irradiation is rapidly replacing conventional heating methods in multicomponent chemistry. In this review, we present an overview of recent applications of the use of microwaves in multicomponent heterocycle synthesis. Where possible, the yield and chemo-, regio- and stereo Read More

Over the centuries mankind has benefited from the natural materials that occur in plants. In earlier times the whole plant or an extract was used in cooking or as a medicine but nowadays the active constituents of plant extracts provide targets for the synthetic chemist. In this review we will explore the advantages that accrue from the incorporation of either ultrasound or microwaves in the extraction process. The two techni Read More

The coupled activation of photochemical and photocatalytic reactions by using of two different types of radiation, microwave and UV/Vis, is covered by the new discipline called microwave photochemistry and photocatalysis. Such a connection might have a synergic effect on reaction efficiencies or, at least, enhance them by summing up the individual effects. The objective of this discipline is frequently, but not necessarily, connec Read More

The application of microwave irradiation for the synthesis and decoration of the 2(1H)-pyrazinone scaffold as well as for the synthesis of various heterocycles starting from this core structure has been reviewed.

An innovative approach in the field of nanomaterials is to develop modern and mild synthetic protocols that enable controlled and integrated organization of specific functional organic and biological building blocks. In this context, research on the preparation of clay-based organic-inorganic hybrid materials, i.e. organoclays, has received considerable attention because these lamellar materials not only possess highl Read More