Toward Rapid, “Green”, Predictable Microwave-Assisted Synthesis

Brett Roberts was born in Australia in 1974. He obtained his B.Sc. (honors) in 1996 and Ph.D. in 2000 from Monash University, under the supervision of Prof. C. L. Raston. A year of his doctorate was undertaken at the University of Strathclyde, with Prof. R. E. Mulvey. Between 2000 and 2002, he investigated solvent-free organic synthesis at the Centre for Green Chemistry, Monash University, and then began with CSIRO Molecular Science exploring Microwave Chemistry with Dr. C. R. Strauss, before returning to the Centre for Green Chemistry as a Research Fellow in 2004.

Chris Strauss was born in Australia. He obtained his B.Sc. (honors) and M.Sc. degrees from Sydney University in 1968 and 1977, respectively, and his Ph.D. from the University of Adelaide in 1984. He researched grape, wine, and spirit composition at the Australian Wine Research Institute between 1971 and 1987 before joining CSIRO. He has had leading roles in the establishment of Microwave Chemistry and Green Chemistry as fields. In 2001, he was seconded to his current post as the Deputy Director of the Centre for Green Chemistry at Monash University.

Continuous and batch microwave reactors were constructed for efficient, “green” synthesis with low-boiling solvents at high temperature in closed vessels. Capabilities for rapid heating and cooling, concurrent heating and cooling, and differential heating facilitated novel chemical reactions and processes. Commercial microwave systems based on these developments are available. Times required for conventional reactions typically are decreased by 2−3 orders of magnitude. Green processes also have resulted through use of less or no catalyst, readily recyclable solvents, or media and yields that are often higher than normal. Complementary interactive software for calculating optimal conditions was developed.