“Green” Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling: An exciting mini-project for chemistry undergraduate students

Abstract

A three-week mini-project is described for an experimental Physical Chemistry or Organic Chemistry course. The activities include synthesis of a biphenyl (4-methoxybiphenyl) via the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction using an adapted domestic microwave oven. The technical skills and concepts that are typically presented in practical chemistry courses are covered, including microwave heating, separation of mixtures, TLC techniques, melting range determination, stoichiometric calculations, and GC–MS techniques.