The origin of the reaction rate acceleration in the microwave-assisted synthesis of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) was investigated by measuring the rate of removal of the water by-product from the reaction solution under equivalent reaction conditions using both microwave and conventional heating methods. Microwave heating selectively activated and removed the water from the reaction solution more rapidly and to a greater extent than oil bath heating. These results indicate that the principal effect of microwave irradiation in the synthesis of PBS was the accelerated removal of the water by-product.
- Ritsuko Nagahata
- Takashi Nakamura
- Kazuhiko Takeuchi
