MID-INFRARED AND NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPIC INVESTIGATIONS OF N-PHENYLMALEIMIDE (NPM) AMINE REACTIONS

The reactions between N-phenylmaleimide (NPM) and several amines have been examined by both mid-infrared (mid-IR) and near-infrared (near-IR ) spectroscopy. Significant overlap exists among several functional gr oups of NPM/amine systems in the mid-IR spectral region. Interference between these absorptions significantly reduces the utility of mid-IR spectroscopy for quantitative studies of NPM/amine reaction kinetics. In contrast, the absorption bands of these functional groups are well separated in near-IR spectra. The ability of near-IR spectroscopy for studying the kinetics of the reactions between the maleimide-containin g compound with amines is clearly established. Near-IR absorptions sui table for quantitative studies of these reactions are identified. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.