Microwave-assisted free radical bulk-polyaddition reactions in a domestic microwave oven

Free radical bulk-polyaddition of diverse monomers (vinyl acetate, styrene, methyl methacrylate, and acrylonitrile) is efficiently, easily, and quickly achieved in the presence of catalytic quantities of AIBN (or benzoyl peroxide) in a domestic microwave oven. The rate of polymerization depends on the structure of the monomer, power and time of microwave irradiation; and is independent of the technique employed (periodic or continuous irradiation). The conversions of monomers to the respective polymers were mostly excellent in gram as well as multigrain scale. Irradiation at low power and time produced more homogeneous polymers with higher molecular weight and low polydispersion (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.