| Abstract: | A series of new polymerized monomer reactants (PMR) matrix resins of poly(pyrrolone‐benzimidazole)s containing a pyridine unit (PPBP) were synthesized by polycondensation of monoethyl ester of cis‐5‐norbornene‐endo‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid, 2,6‐diphenyl ester pyridinedicarboxylic acid or 3,5‐diphenyl ester pyridinedicarboxylic acid, and diethyl ester of 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic acid with 3,3′‐diaminobenzidine in a mixing solution of anhydrous ethyl alcohol and N‐methylpyrrolidone under given temperature and pressure conditions. The resulting resin solutions showed good solubility in polar organic solvents and stability at room temperature. The corresponding PPBP matrix resin, molded powder, and molded plate were prepared by undergoing amidation, imidization, cyclization, and crosslinking reactions when the reaction temperature was increased from 80 to 350°C, successively; the crosslinking structure was formed by the reverse Diels–Alder reaction at 270–290°C under 50 MPa pressure (2.5–3.5 MPa displayed by the pressure meter). The chemical reactions and properties of the resulting PPBP were studied by means of FTIR, TGA, and DMA methods, and the results indicated that the kinds of PPBP materials retain excellent thermal stability and processability; when the initial decomposition temperature was above 620°C the Tg was at 413.5°C for 3,5‐PPBP‐20 molded plate. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 3981–3990, 2004 |
