Microwave-induced reactions: an alternative route for chemical synthesis

Abstract

In an effort to study the scope of microwave radiation for organic bromination reactions, some reactions were studied using a domestic microwave oven. Results reveal that these radiation-induced reactions are unique in their high yields and that they require extremely short reaction times compared with conventional room-temperature reactions. In these reactions tetrabutyl ammonium tribromide was used as an alternative brominating reagent in order to avoid the chemical hazards associated with liquid bromine (Br2). As all the reactions were successfully carried out in solid state under microwave conditions, the use of solvent was not required. All these aspects make the bromination protocol quite environment friendly.