A solvent-free approach for organic synthesis is described which involves m
icrowave (MW) exposure of neat reactants (undiluted) either in the presence
of a catalyst or catalyzed by the surfaces of inexpensive and recyclable m
ineral supports such as alumina, silica, clay, or "doped" surfaces, namely,
Fe(NO3)(3)-clay (clayfen). Cu(NO3)(2)-clay (claycop), NH2OH-clay PhI(OAc)(
2)-alumina, NaIO4-silica, MnO2-silica, and NaBH4-clay. A variety of deprote
ction, condensation, cyclization, oxidation, and reduction reactions are pr
esented including the efficient one-pot assembly of heterocyclic molecules
from in situ generated intermediates such as enamines and alpha -tosyloxyke
tones. The application of this solvent-free MW approach ro multicomponent r
eactions is highlighted that can be adapted for high-speed parallel synthes
is of the library of dihydropyrimidine-2(1H)-ones and imidazo [1,2-a]annula
ted pyridines, pyrazines, and pyrimidines.