Diisopropyl fumarate (DiPF), a representative monomer of dialkyl fumarates, was polymerized by microwave irradiation at three different powers (140,210, and 280 W), using a domestic microwave oven. The nature and concentration of initiators [2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and benzoyl peroxide (BP)], power and energy of microwave irradiation on the conversion, weight average molecular weight (M-w), and polyclispersity index (M-w/M-n) were analyzed. The results indicate that the microwave conditions have a significant nonthermal effect in enhancing the polymerization rate of DiPF. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.