Microwave apparatus and methods for performing chemical reactions

摘要

The present invention relates to an apparatus and methods for performing chemical reactions. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for heating chemical reaction mixtures. The apparatus applies one or more semiconductor based microwave generators making the apparatus suitable for parallel processing of chemical reaction mixtures. The invention further relates to methods for performing chemical reactions, e.g. methods for heating a plurality of samples simultaneously or sequentially, methods for monitoring a microwave heated chemical reaction, and methods where the optimum conditions with respect to parameters, such frequency and applied power can be determined for the system consisting of apparatus plus sample.

主权项

1. A method for performing a chemical reaction, said method comprising:
a) providing a sample in an applicator, b) applying electromagnetic radiation to the sample for a first period of time at a first level of power and varying the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation between two values and with a given resolution, and determining a reflection factor of electromagnetic radiation from the sample at least two of the frequencies covered by the range of the two values by determining the level of a feedback signal, thereby obtaining a first set of reflection factors, c) changing at least one of the physical and chemical properties of the sample, d) applying electromagnetic radiation to the applicator at a second level of power and varying the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation between two values and with a given resolution, the range defined by the values being included in the range defined by the values in step b), and determining a reflection factor of electromagnetic radiation from the sample at least two of the frequencies covered by the range of the two values by determining the level of the feed-back signal, thereby obtaining a second set of reflection factors, and e) repeating step c) and d) until the difference in reflection factors calculated as the mathematical difference between the frequencies associated with the first and second set of reflection factors is within a given range.