SELF-CROSS-LINKABLE POLY(ARYLENE ETHER)S CONTAINING PENDENT PHENYLENETRIAZENE GROUPS

Self-crosslinkable poly (arylene ether)s 6 and 8, containing pendent t riazene groups were prepared by nucleophilic substitution reaction of poly (arylene ether) s 5 and 7, respectively, with 1-[4-(4-hydroxyphen oxy) phenylene] triazenes, 4, in the presence of potassium carbonate i n N,N-dimethylacetamide. A series of triazenes 4 containing various su bstituents have been synthesized. Self-crosslinkable polymer 6e contai ning phenyl-substituted triazene pendants can be crosslinked at 215-de grees-C, which is about 40-degrees-C lower than the glass transition t emperature of the virgin base polymer 5. The degree of crosslinking ca n be tailored by varying the concentration of the pendent phenylenetri azene groups in the polymer. After curing, the flexible polymer films (ca. 10 mum thick) exhibit high gel contents, increased glass transiti on temperatures, improved resistance to organic solvents, and little c hange in dielectric constant and thermal stability. These self-crossli nkable poly (arylene ether) s are potential candidates for electronic applications. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.