Microwave-assisted polymer synthesis : recent developments in a rapidly expanding field of research

The use of microwave irradn. has become a common heat source in org. chem. Inspired by this enormous success, the use of microwave irradn. is also increasingly studied for polymn. reactions. The present review discusses developments in this rapidly growing field of research. The main areas in which the use of microwave irradn. has been explored in the recent years are step-growth polymns., ring- opening polymns. as well as radical polymns. These different areas will be addressed in detail, whereby special attention will be given to obsd. improvements resulting from the use of microwave irradn. as well as the occurrence of non-thermal effects