Solvent-free organic transformations using supported reagents and microwave irradiation

In the presence of mineral oxides such as alumina, K 10 montmorillonite cla y or modified 'doped' materials, a variety of organic reactions are acceler ated by microwave irradiation under solvent-free conditions. Several exampl es of such facile organic manipulations using this simple approach that com bines the virtues of catalysis by a large surface area of the mineral oxide s or supported reagents and microwave activation are described. The protoco l entails exposure of the neat reactants in open containers to microwave ir radiation at 2450 MHz frequency. The salient features of this strategy such as solvent conservation and the ease of manipulation etc. are summarized f or these synthetically useful protocols.