Chapter 3 - Microwave-assisted synthesis of medicinally privileged heterocycles

Abstract

Since 1986, a huge number of microwave-assisted organic/organometallic/inorganic transformations have been reported. The use of microwave reduces unnecessary formation of byproducts (wastes), thereby enhancing the yields of the desired products. Among organic compounds, heterocycles are widely distributed in nature and many of these possess medicinal as well as pharmacological activities. The development of microwave-supported synthetic strategies for such biologically relevant heterocycles is, nowadays, regarded as an important objective. This chapter describes applications of microwaves to accomplish various chemical transformations accelerated by a variety of catalysts which include, but not limited to, Lewis acids, other metal-containing catalysts, organocatalysts, heterogeneous catalysts, phase-transfer catalysts, solid-supported catalysts, inorganic catalysts (bases, acids, and salts), and so on. Microwave-assisted syntheses of bioactive molecules in green solvents like aqueous media, ionic liquids, and so on are taken into account. Discussion related to the concurrent effect of microwaves, catalysts, and/or solvents supports to constitute an expeditious and general route for the syntheses of a large number of medicinally important heterocyclic compounds and pharmacophores are an important aspect of this chapter.