Some years ago microwave synthesis was still considered as a dangerous tool and of low reproducibility, since many reactions were accomplished in closed containers with excess pressure. Since the first report of a microwave synthesis in the year 1986 up to now, it has been further developed, however, to a serious-taken alternative, which helps to save time and costs.
The book offers an outstanding introduction about microwaves up to chapters on individual methods, which meanwhile were used. Of interest is the discussion whether the microwave effect does exist, or if thermal effects alone (superheating) are responsible for the higher reaction rate. This question is discussed in a differentiated and excited manner: Attempts of explanation, by means of entropy and higher polarization of bonds and the fact that certain reactions show no effect at all, were given. However, the reader gains a comprehensive picture of current theses.
The later chapters are arranged according to methods and offer, from the reaction in solvents up to solvent-free reactions, a comprehensive overview of the current possibilities and the reactions accomplished in the literature. The examples cover a large range of different, chemical reactions and are completed with heterocycle chemistry, cycloaddition and homogeneous catalysis