Microwave assisted organic syntheses have evolved from pioneering work conducted in the 1980's to become a central feature of contemporary organic chemistry. Though initial research was conducted using modified domestic instruments, a variety of sophisticated reactors are now available, and the technology has been adopted widely throughout the pharmaceutical industry. Based on dielectric heating, microwave mediated synthetic transformations exploit the ability to achieve very carefully controlled yet rapid application of thermal energy, which typically results in faster reaction rates and improved product impurity profiles. The research described herein highlights powerful new applications of microwave assisted organic synthesis with particular emphasis on radiolabeling methodologies. In this arena, the full benefits of fast reaction rates are exploited as the methodology can allow practical routes to short half-life radiopharmaceuticals otherwise inaccessible by conventional means. Following a