Fast and “green” living cationic ring opening polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline in ionic liquids under microwave irradiation

Abstract

The living cationic ring opening polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline performed in an ionic liquid under microwave irradiation showed an enhanced polymerization rate in comparison to the reaction in common organic solvents; the ionic liquid was efficiently recovered and reused in new reaction cycles, completely avoiding the use of organic volatile compounds.