[60]Fullerene-initiated bulk polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole under the microwave irradiation

The [60]fullerene-initiated "charge-transfer" bulk polymerization reaction of N-vinylcarbazole (NVC) under microwave irradiation (490 W) has been demo nstrated. In comparison with the C-60-initiated polymerization reaction of NVC in the water bath at 70 degrees C, carrying out the polymerization reac tion in the microwave oven was found to be advantageous due to the remarkab le decrease in the time necessary to carry out reaction, and to the conside rable improvement in yield of poly(N-vinylcarbazole). A reasonable polymeri zation reaction pathway via C-60-NVC ion-radical pairs is suggested. (C) 20 00 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.