The application of microwave energy to the sulfonation of naphthalene and anthraquinone, to the amination of -chloronitrobenzene, and to the hydrosilylation of 2- and 4- vinylpyridine has been studied. Though faster (5 – 360-fold) reactions were observed problems were encountered with the available microwave technology. These were overcome by using a microwave oven equipped with stirring facility and both temperature and pressure control.