Preparation of Polyester PolyMIPEs by Polycondensation of Low-Molecular Weight Polyol and Divinyl Ester Using Microwave Activation

Several stable non-aqueous apolar-in-polar medium internal phase emulsions (MIPEs) containing divinyl adipate and pentaerythritol in the continuous phase are formulated by varying the nature of the hydrocarbon. Polycondensation is then conducted either under conventional heating or microwave irradiation after addition of a commercially available organocatalyst. Solvent elimination and drying lead to the corresponding polyester polyMIPEs. A tremendous morphological difference between materials is observed according to the heating method employed. The particular efficiency of microwave activation in the polycondensation of the continuous phase of a non-aqueous emulsion is discussed.