Thermal behaviour of polymers based on nadimides

Carbocationic polymerization of N-ortho/meta/para tolyl-exo-norbornene dica rboximide (nadimide) was carried out using Pd(II) catalyst. Under similar c onditions of polymerization, poly(N-m-tolyl nadimide) showed higher molecul ar mass compared to poly(N-p-tolyl nadimide) and poly(N-o-tolyl nadimide). Thermal stability of these polymers was evaluated by dynamic thermogravimet ry in nitrogen atmosphere. The polymers were stable up to 460 degrees C and lost mass above this temperature in a single step. The characteristic deco mposition temperature and char yield of these polymers were higher than the polymers prepared by using ring opening metathesis polymerization. The dif ference has been attributed to the presence of rigid bicyclic ring structur e in these polymers.