An environmentally friendly, cost effective synthesis of quinoxalines: the influence of microwave reaction conditions

A convenient, environmentally friendly and novel synthesis of quinoxalines using silica gel as the catalyst is described. The choice of microwave conditions has been shown to have a substantial impact on the reaction outcome with closed-vessel microwave irradiation resulting in the formation of quinoxalines in high yields and short reaction times. Preliminary mechanistic investigations have indicated that a slight build-up in pressure has a major impact on the reaction outcome.