Hydrodechlorination of chlorinated benzenes in a continuous microwave reactor

Tests implemented under microwave irradiation conditions indicated an efficient hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzenes over 0.5% Pd/Al sub(2)O sub(3). Losses of active metal surface area were judged to be substantial and identical for both microwave and conventional heating reactions. The higher rate and sustainability of the microwave reaction may result from the selective and rapid absorption of microwaves by the polar chlorinated substrates that promotes their easy removal from the catalyst surface. Researchers determined that the rate of desorption of the products plays the most critical role in sustaining catalyst activity. Evidence showed a substantial reduction in power consumption under the microwave reaction as opposed to the reaction under conventional heating.