Organic processes initiated by non-classical energy sources

Non-classical energy sources such as microwave energy, ultrasound and mecha noenergy and their combination with UV-VIS radiation are new tools in synth etic chemistry and chemical processing. Here we describe the application of microwave treatment for selected organic reactions such as (i) enzymatic t ransesterification of opticially active alcohols, (ii) mercury-sensitized g as-phase photolysis of hydrocarbons in the microwave field, (iii) environme ntally benign oxidations of olefins and (iv) the application of mechanoener gy separately and in combination with microwave irradiation for special oxi dation reactions. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.