Microwave Accelerated Polymerization of 2‐Phenyl‐2‐oxazoline

Abstract Summary: We studied the cationic ring‐opening polymerization of 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline under microwave irradiation. A comparison with thermal heating shows a great enhancement in the reaction rates while the living character of the polymerization is conserved. The polymerizations were performed at the temperature of boiling butyronitrile (123 °C). The polymerization of 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline under microwave conditions, described herein for the first time, is shown to be a rapid and environmentally friendly alternative to the classical methods. Schematic of the activation of the reactive site by microwave irradiation. image Schematic of the activation of the reactive site by microwave irradiation.