Preparation and thermal properties of enaryloxynitriles end-capped polymerprecursors

Various enaryloxynitriles-terminated reactive polymer precursors containing rigid aromatic units were prepared from various diamines and 1-(p-formylph enyl)-1-phenyl-2,2-dicyanoethene (1). Arylate end-capped model compounds li nked with azomethine bond were also prepared by reacting p-formylphenyl ben zoate with diamines to compare the curing ability. The oligomers were highl y soluble in polar aprotic solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone. They generally showed an exothermic curing process between 280-350 degrees C, attributable to the thermal cros slinking of the dicyanovinyl group in DSC analysis, and no weight loss at c uring temperature. Upon heating the polymer precursors, heat-resistant and insoluble network polymers were obtained. Thermogravimetric analyses of the precursors containing rigid aromatic units showed thermal stability with a 77-92% residual weight at 500 degrees C under nitrogen.