CARBOXYL TERMINATED POLYAMIDE-12 CHAIN EXTENSION USING A DIOXAZOLINE COUPLING AGENT

High molar mass Polyester Amide was obtained by coupling reaction of C arboxyl-Terminated Polyamide 12 (CTPA) with a dioxazoline (OO). The an alysis of the experimental condition effects on the reaction conversio n and the structure of the polymer obtained did not show any particula r side reaction. A kinetic study comparing the reactivity of the dioxa zoline used with CTPA and decanoic acid (DA) as model reactants showed the equireactivity of the two oxazoline functions and of the acid fun ctions of the CTPA and DA. A kinetic model was proposed. The reaction rate at different temperatures and the activation energy were calculat ed. The evolution of the different reactant concentrations were modele d and compared with experimental data. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc .