Laboratory Experiments Using Microwave Heating

Introduction: Using Microwave Heating in Chemistry: The Basics

Experiment 1 Diels–Alder Cycloaddition Reaction

Experiment 2 Second-Order Elimination Reaction: Preparation of Heptene from 2-Bromoheptane

Experiment 3 An Addition–Elimination Sequence: Preparation of a Bromoalkene

Experiment 4 Fischer Esterification: Preparation of Ethyl-4-Aminobenzoate (Benzocaine)

Experiment 5 Transesterification Reaction: Preparation of Biodiesel

Experiment 6 Knoevenagel Condensation Reaction: Preparation of 3-Acetylcoumarin

Experiment 7 The Perkin Reaction: Condensation of an Aromatic Aldehyde with Rhodanine

Experiment 8 Williamson Ether Synthesis: Preparation of Allyl Phenyl Ether

Experiment 9 Claisen Rearrangement: Preparation of 2-Allyl Phenol from Allyl Phenyl Ether

Experiment 10 Hydration of an Alkyne: Preparation of Acetophenone from Phenylacetylene

Experiment 11 Oxidation of a Secondary Alcohol: Preparation of a Ketone

Experiment 12 Suzuki Coupling Reaction: Preparation of a Biaryl

Experiment 13 Heck Reaction: Preparation of Substituted Cinnamic Acids

Experiment 14 Preparation of an Aryl Nitrile: Application of a Copper-Catalyzed Cyanation Reaction

Experiment 15 Alkene Metathesis: Preparation of a Substituted Cyclopentene

Experiment 16 Click Reaction: Preparation of a Triazole

Experiment 17 Coordination Chemistry: Preparation of Cisplatin

Experiment 18 Preparation of a Palladium Complex: Bis(triphenylphosphine)Palladium(II) Dichloride

Experiment 19 Coordination of an Aromatic Ring to a Metal: Preparation of an Arene Chromium Tricarbonyl Complex

Experiment 20 Determination of an Empirical Formula: Zinc Bromide

Experiment 21 Microwave-Assisted Extraction: Identification of the Major Flavor Components of Citrus Oil

Experiment 22 Microwave-Assisted Digestion of Dietary Supplements: Metal Analysis by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Index

Biography

Nicholas E. Leadbeater, PhD, is an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Leadbeater’s research interests are focused around development of new synthetic methodology, with an emphasis on cleaner, greener routes to known and novel compounds. Dr. Leadbeater has a passion for undergraduate education, both developing new lecture and laboratory classes and incorporating undergraduate students into research. He was the recipient of the 2010 University of Connecticut College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award in the Physical Sciences.

Cynthia B. McGowan, PhD, is a full professor of chemistry at Merrimack College, North Andover, Massachusetts. Her pioneering work in the use of microwave technology for organic chemistry experiments and teaching is "student-tested" and refined. A committed and popular undergraduate teacher, recognized by her peers with a teaching excellence award in 1999, she continues to adapt her material to the ever-changing world of technology so that her students are well prepared for graduate work or positions in industry.

"The book starts with a short and easy-to-understand introduction to the basics of microwave heating, which in my opinion every microwave user should know. … Designed as a textbook for the undergraduate laboratory, Laboratory Experiments Using Microwave Heating is a valuable addition to the range of microwave books available. It is the first to include inorganic and analytical chemistry experiments, and will help students to become acquainted with microwave technology at an early stage."
—Chemistry World, 2014