Polymerization of diisopropyl fumarate under microwave irradiation

Abstract

Abstract Diisopropyl fumarate (DiPF), a representative monomer of dialkyl fumarates, was polymerized by microwave irradiation at three different powers (140, 210, and 280 W), using a domestic microwave oven. The nature and concentration of initiators [2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and benzoyl peroxide (BP)], power and energy of microwave irradiation on the conversion, weight average molecular weight ( M w ), and polydispersity index ( M w / M n ) were analyzed. The results indicate that the microwave conditions have a significant nonthermal effect in enhancing the polymerization rate of DiPF. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3785–3791, 2007