Why are reactions done with microwave heating faster than reactions done with conventional heating?
According to Arrhenius’s equation, k=A*exp(-Ea/R*T), the rate of a reaction is doubled for every 10 ºC rise in temperature. Reactions performed at a 100 °C higher temperature would have a reaction rate of 1/1000th of conventional condition. Also, higher temperatures can be achieved faster using microwave heating since the solvents and reagents are heated directly and the lag time for heat conduction from a hot glass surface into the reaction mixture is eliminated.
