ORGN 107

microwave heating, benzophenones were efficiently synthesized in 6-10 s. These

ultrafast carbonylation reactions occur under air by flash heating of aryl iodides in the

presence of dicobalt octacarbonyl and give good to excellent yields (57-97%).

We have also developed a cobalt carbonyl mediated synthesis of symmetrical urea

compounds from primary amines. This reaction is conducted under microwave

irradiation and is almost as fast as the previously mentioned synthesis of ketones.

Rapid and smooth synthesis of diaryl ketones and urea compounds from easily available

precursors is of great importance since these moieties occurs in many biologically active

substances.