Efficient synthesis of 1-(4'-methylbenzoyl)-3,3-diethylthiourea under microwave irradiation using potassium fluoride on alumina

1,1-diethylthiourea and 4-methylbenzoic acid were condensed to 1-(4'-methyl benzoyl)-3,3-diethylthiourea in open vessels under microwave irradiation us ing an unmodified domestic microwave oven. The synthesis was carried out in the presence of alumina impregnated with potassium fluoride and catalytic amounts of N,N-dimethylformamide. The yields are noticeably improved in com parison with classical methods.