Rapid synthesis of poly(trimethylene carbonate) by microwave-assisted ring-opening polymerization

Poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) was synthesized successfully by microwave-assisted ring-opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate. The polymerizations were carried out in a single-mode microwave oven using ethylene glycol (EG) as the initiator in the absence of any metallic compound catalyst. The temperature–time profiles of the reaction mixture were investigated at different power levels and EG concentrations. The molar mass of the resulting PTMC and TMC monomer conversion by the microwave method is higher than those by the conventional method. Thermal properties of the resulting polymers were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. Microwave irradiation proved to be an effective and efficient method for the preparation of PTMC.