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The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

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Abstract Volume 16 (2011) pp 149-151

Rapid Microwave-Assisted Isomerization of Cis-Norbornene-Endo-5,6-Dicarboxylic Anhydride

Paul R. C. Saunders, Yaser M. Al-Jobory, Jeyeol Hwangbo, Steven J. Schultz, and Nabyl Merbouh*

Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada, nmerbouh@sfu.ca
Received January 23, 2011. Accepted March 1, 2011.

Published: 2 June 2011

Abstract. This article describes a facile and efficient synthesis of cis-norbornene-exo-5,6-dicarboxylic anhydride from either its readily accessible endo isomer or directly from maleic anhydride and dicyclopentadiene. This synthesis requires the use of a laboratory microwave, and neat reagents. The separation and purification of the final desired compound was done using chromatography on silica gel. Students were consistently able to complete the synthesis, chromatography and analyses under the allocated four hours laboratory period.

Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; organic chemistry

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: nmerbouh@sfu.ca)

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