STUDIES ON POLYIMIDES - PART 1 - SYNTHESIS OF MODEL COMPOUNDS AND THEIR REACTION WITH HEXAMETHYLENETETRAMINE

The synthesis of a series of N-(hydroxyphenyl) succinimides is describ ed along with their reaction with HMTA. The succinimides serve as a mo del for the more complicated polyimide/HMTA systems. Both benzoxazine and benzylamine type intermediates have been identified as the initial major intermediates formed depending on the substitution pattern of t he phenolic ring. The rate of reaction of HPI;ITA with the N-(hydroxyp henyl) succinimide compounds was measured via C-13 nuclear magnetic re sonance spectroscopy. It was found that the presence of the succinimid e ring increases the reactivity to HMTA of the hydroxyphenyl compounds studied. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.