SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ARYLENE ETHER IMIDE REACTIVE OLIGOMERS AND POLYMERS CONTAINING DIARYL ALKYL PHOSPHINE OXIDE GROUPS

The diamine monomer bis(m-aminophenyl) methyl phosphine oxide (DAMPO) was synthesized via nitration and reduction of diphenyl methyl phosphi ne oxide. Rigorous purification of this monomer enabled its utilizatio n in the synthesis of high molecular weight poly(ether imide)s. Both t hermoplastic materials and thermosetting systems, endcapped with eithe r phthalic or phenylethynylphthalic anhydride, respectively, have been produced. Major emphasis has been placed on polyimides derived from 2 ,2'-bis(4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy) phenyl) propane dianhydride, also kno wn as bisphenol-A dianhydride, or BPADA. High molecular weight home-an d copolyimides based on BPADA/DAMPO had glass transition temperature v alues in the range of 215-223 degrees C, and were totally amorphous. T hey displayed higher modulus and tensile strength values than the poly etherimide control based on meta-phenylene diamine and also generated high TGA char yields in air. Phenylethynyl crosslinkable materials wer e effectively cured at 380 degrees C to produce networks that are duct ile, very solvent resistant and also generate high char yields, which suggest their possible utilization in fire resistant matrix systems. ( C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.