SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NEW POLY(N-1-ADAMANTYLMALEIMIDE) AND POLY(N-1-DIAMANTYLMALEIMIDE)

N-1-Diamantylmaleimide was synthesized by reaction of maleic anhydride with 1-aminodiamantane, followed by dehydration with acetic anhydride and sodium acetate. Poly(N-adamantylmaleimide) (IIa) and poly(N-1-dia mantylmaleimide) (IIb) were polymerized using 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitr ile (AIBN) as an initiator under different experimental conditions suc h as various initiator concentrations, solvents, polymerization temper atures, and polymerization times. Polymerizations of N-1-adamantylmale imide in benzene at 60 degrees C or in bulk gave polymers with molecul ar weights (2000-9500). The experimental results indicated that the pr opagation may be interrupted by steric hindrance of bulky and rigid su bstituents such as the adamantyl or diamantyl groups. In addition, the effect of chain transfer to monomer contributes to the relatively low activation energy. The glass transition temperatures of Ia and Ib wer e 204 and 216 degrees C, respectively. The temperatures at 5% weight l oss of the polymers IIa and IIb were above 412 degrees C. (C) 1996 Joh n Wiley & Sons, Inc.