Microwave heating for the rapid determination of thermodynamic functions of chemical reactions

Abstract

A new technique, based on microwave heating, is proposed for the determination of thermodynamic functions of chemical reactions. The reliability of the method has been varified by studying two typical chemical equilibria (complex-formation and acid–base) as well as the temperature behaviour of several polar solvents. The absence of temperature gradients inside the sample, the broad range of variability of the slope of the temperature rise, the very short response time and the applicability to various common polar solvents other than water, qualify the method for various other applications in thermochemistry.