The West Virginia State University Department of Chemistry has been working to find new and clean method to synthesize complex functional groups by utilizing microwave synthesis. Also, we are trying to incorporate these synthetic techniques to teach our students in our organic chemistry laboratory experiences as well. The compounds of interest are N-Phenyl succinimide and maleimide derivatives that have anti-microbial and insecticide applications. This work has been exploring both the steric and electronic variablities of the aniline as well as the scope of the electrophile, succinic, malonic, or maleic anhydride. Interestingly when maleic anhydride was used as the electrophile, hydration of the alkene provided hydrated product upon isolation. Isolation of the product from the water and ethanol provides a cheap and environmentally friendly method of purification. These characteristics provide for an excellent adaptation into the sophomore level Organic Chemistry laboratory experience. The work will help the students explore the reaction scope by the variation of the electronic and steric demands of the aniline. We will discuss in adopting this laboratory procedure in the WVSU sophomore organic chemistry sequence.

Microwave synthesis of N-phenyl succinimides and adaptation in organic  chemistry laboratory

247th National Meeting (2014)

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