Structure and properties of poly(benzyl acrylate) synthesized under microwave energy

Abstract Benzyl acrylate was polymerized under microwave irradiation using radical initiation (benzoyl peroxide, BP). The effect of the concentration of BP and power irradiation on the conversion, average molecular weights and the polydispersity index ( M w / M n ) were investigated. The 1 H NMR and 13 C NMR spectra analysis showed tendency to syndiotacticity and branched polymers were obtained at high conversion of reactions. A significant enhancement of the rates of polymerization and similar thermodynamic behavior, as compared with those obtained under thermal conditions was found.