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Changing Perspectives on the Strategic Use of Microwave Heating in Organic Synthesis
Author(s) -
Dudley Gregory B.,
Stiegman A. E.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the chemical record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.61
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1528-0691
pISSN - 1527-8999
DOI - 10.1002/tcr.201700044
Subject(s) - microwave heating , confusion , leverage (statistics) , misinformation , microwave , organic synthesis , nanotechnology , chemistry , computer science , materials science , political science , psychology , telecommunications , law , organic chemistry , catalysis , psychoanalysis , machine learning
This Personal Account describes collaborative investigations into apocryphal microwave effects in organic chemistry. Focused research on microwave‐assisted organic synthesis has been fraught with confusion, controversy, and misinformation. Microwave heating is an undoubtedly useful tactic for organic synthesis, but whether or not it can offer strategic advantages remains an open question in the minds of many people. (Ironically, those who do not consider it an open question are split as to whether it has been resolved affirmatively or negatively.) Our research in this area is guided by the hypothesis that microwave heating can alter reaction kinetics in ways distinct from what is observable under conventional heating. Here we provide a succinct record of the origins of our interests, our initial queries and associated controversies, and recent efforts to identify, quantify, and begin to leverage selective microwave heating for strategic advantage in organic synthesis.