The ability of monuron (p-chlorophenyl-N,N-dimethylurea) to cure epoxy resi
ns was investigated by means of hardening the mono functional model compoun
d p-tolylglycidyl ether, The reaction products were isolated and the possib
le intermediates were synthesised independently for comparison. Their react
ivity was tested. As analytical methods, thermo-FT-IR spectroscopy, DSC and
liquid-solid chromatography were applied. The results indicate that during
curing monuron reacts without decomposing into free isocyanate and dimethy
lamine and that the polymer-forming reaction is not terminated by the well-
known formation of 2-oxazolidones. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right
s reserved.