Maleic copolymers with pendant disinfectant and or odorant molecules II. Thermal and thermo-oxidative behaviour

New esters of alternating maleic anhydride/styrene or vinyl acetate copolym ers with tyhmol, eugenol, phenylethyl alcohol and citronellol, known as bio active molecules with disinfectant and/or odorant properties, have been syn thesized and characterized by conductometry and infrared spectroscopy. Thei r thermo-oxidative and thermal behaviour under dynamic conditions of heatin g were studied by means of thermogravimetry and differential scanning calor imetry. One or two thermogravimetric steps of weight loss are characteristi c for the studied compounds in the 20-450 degrees C temperature range, that are endothermic processes in DSC curves. The characteristic temperatures, weight losses, overall kinetic parameters and reaction heats were evaluated and information about physical and/or chemical processes involved, have be en obtained. On the basis of these results two distinct pathways for the re lease of active moieties have been proposed in respect to the parent copoly mer. IR spectra recorded after heating at various temperatures support the proposed mechanisms. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.