Synthesis of novel photoactive heterocyclic polyimides containing naphthalene moieties via cycloaddition reactions

1‐Naphthylacetic acid (1) was reacted with thionyl chloride and 1‐naphthyl‐ acetyl chloride (2) was obtained in a quantitative yield. The reaction of this acid chloride (2) with isoeugenol (3) was performed in chloroform and a novel isoeugenol ester derivative (4) as a monomer was obtained in a high yield. The compound (4) was characterized by ¹H‐NMR, IR, mass, and elemental analyses and then was used for the preparation of a model compound (6) and polymerization reactions. 4‐Phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione (PhTD) (5) was allowed to react with compound (4). The reaction is very fast and gives only one double adduct (6) via Diels–Alder and ene pathways in an excellent yield. The polymerization reactions of the novel monomer (4) with bistriazolinediones [bis‐(p‐3,5‐dioxo‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐4‐ylphenyl)methane (7) and 1,6‐bis‐(3,5‐dioxo‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐4‐yl)hexane] (8) were carried out in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) at room temperature. The reactions are exothermic and fast and gave novel heterocyclic polyimides containing a naphthalenic pendant group (9) and (10) via repetitive Diels–Alder‐ene polyaddition reactions. Stereochemical analysis of the model compound and fluorimetric studies of the model compound as well as polymers were done conclusively. Excimer formation of the polymers and its effect on fluorescence emission were investigated and some structural characterization and physical properties of these novel heterocyclic polyimides are reported. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 527–536, 2000     

Synthesis of novel polyimides containing side‐chain azo‐2‐naphthol moieties

An amine‐ester derivative of isoeugenol was prepared in three steps. This amine‐ester was converted to diazonium salt and subsequently was reacted with 2‐naphthol and a novel isoeugenol ester‐azo derivative as a new monomer was obtained in quantitative yield. This monomer was characterized by high‐field ¹H‐NMR, IR, and elemental analysis and then was used for the preparation of model compound and polymerization reactions. 4‐Phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione was allowed to react with this new monomer. The reaction was very fast and gave only one double adduct by Diels–Alder and ene pathways in excellent yield. The polymerization reactions of novel monomer with bistriazolinediones [bis(p‐3,5‐dioxo‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐4‐ylphenyl)methane and 1,6‐bis(3,5‐dioxo‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐4‐yl)hexane] were carried out in N,N‐dimethylacetamide at room temperature. The reactions were exothermic, fast, and gave novel heterocyclic polyimides by repetitive Diels–Alder‐ene polyaddition reactions. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these novel heterocyclic polyimides are reported. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 1942–1951, 2003     

Synthesis of novel heterocyclic polyimides containing trimellitimide acid moieties

4‐Nitrobezoyl chloride (2) was reacted with isoeugenol in chloroform in the presence of triethyl amine and ester (4) was obtained in high yield. Ester (4) was reacted with SnCl₂·2H₂O to give amine‐ester (5), and subsequently was reacted with trimellitic anhydride (6) and novel isoeugenol ester‐imide derivative (7), as a new monomer was obtained in quantitative yield. Compound (7) was characterized by high‐field ¹H–NMR, IR, and elemental analysis and then was used for the preparation of model compound (9) and polymerization reactions. 4‐Phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione (PhTD) (8) was allowed to react with compound (7). The reaction is very fast and gives only one double adduct (9) via Diels–Alder and ene pathways in excellent yield. The polymerization reactions of novel monomer (7) with bistriazolinediones [bis(p‐3,5‐dioxo‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐4‐ylphenyl)methane (10) and 1,6‐bis(3,5‐dioxo‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐4‐yl)hexane (11)] were carried out in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) at room temperature. The reactions are exothermic, fast, and gave novel heterocyclic polyimides (12) and (13) via repetitive Diels–Alder‐ene polyaddition reactions. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these novel heterocyclic polyimides are reported. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 1716–1725, 2001     

Highly diastereoselective synthesis of novel polymers via tandem Diels–Alder–ene reactions

Cis -9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene-11-12-dicarboxylic acid anhydride (1) was converted into its amic acid derivative by reaction with L -leucine. The cyclization reaction was carried out in situ using triethylamine to give the succinic imide-acid derivative (2). Compound (2) was converted to the acid chloride (3) by reaction with thionyl chloride. The reaction of acid chloride (3) with isoeugenol (4) was carried out in chloroform and a novel optically active isoeugenol ester derivative (5) was obtained in high yield. 4-Phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (PhTD) (6) was allowed to react with compound (5). The reaction is very fast and gives only one diastereoisomer of (7) via Diels–Alder and ene pathways in quantitative yield. Compound (7) was characterized by ¹H NMR, IR, specific rotation and elemental analysis, and was used as a model for the polymerization reactions. The polymerization reactions of compound (5) with bis-triazolinediones (8), (9) were performed in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) at room temperature. The reactions are exothermic and fast, and give novel optically active polymers. Some physical properties and structural characterizations of these new polymers have been studied, and are reported. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Polymerization of Triazolinediones with trans-3,3-Dichloro-1-phenyl-1-propene

The reaction of 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (PhTD) ( 2 ) with trans-3,3-dichloro-1-phenyl-1-propene ( 4 ) was investigated at room and reflux temperatures in methylene chloride solution. Although the reaction is slow, it gives quantitative yield. This reaction leads to the formation of two 2:1 adducts via double Diels–Alder and Diels–Alder-Ene reactions in a ratio of about 1: 7. The major product was isolated by means of fractional crystallization as a pure compound and was characterized by infra-red (IR), ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ¹³C NMR, mass spectra and elemental analysis. The structure of the minor product was determined by IR and ¹H NMR. These compounds were used as models for the polymerization reactions. The reaction of bistriazolinediones (1,6-bis-(3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazoline-4-yl)hexane and bis-(p-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazoline-4-ylphenyl)methane) with ( 4 ) was carried out in dimethylformamide (DMF). The reactions gave novel polymers via repetitive double Diels–Alder and Diels–Alder-Ene polyaddition reactions, with the major component being a Diels–Alder-Ene structure. These polymers have intrinsic viscosities in a range from 0·08 to 0·18dlg^-1 in DMF. The physical properties and structural characterization of these polymers have been studied and are reported. © of SCI.     

Preparation and characterization of new photoactive polyamides containing 4‐(4‐dimethylaminophenyl)urazole units

4‐(4‐dimethylaminophenyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolidine‐3,5‐dione ( DAPTD ) was prepared from 4‐dimethylaminobenzoic acid in five steps. The compound DAPTD was reacted with excess acetyl chloride in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) solution and gave 1,2‐bisacetyl‐4‐[4‐(dimethylaminophenyl)]‐1,2,4‐triazolidine‐3,5‐dione as a model compound. Solution polycondensation reactions of monomer with succinyl chloride (SucC), suberoyl chloride (SubC), and sebacoyl chloride (SebC) were performed under conventional solution polymerization techniques in the presence of triethylamine and pyridine as a catalyst in N‐methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and led to the formation of novel aliphatic polyamides. These novel polyamides have inherent viscosities in the range of 0.09–0.21 dL/g in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) at 25°C. Fluorimetric studies of the model compound as well as polymers were performed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 947–954, 2007     

Polymerization of 4‐(4′‐N‐1,8‐naphthalimidophenyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolidine‐3,5‐dione with diisocyanates

4‐(4′‐Aminophenyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolidine‐3,5‐dione ( 1 ) was reacted with 1,8‐naphthalic anhydride ( 2 ) in a mixture of acetic acid and pyridine (3 : 2) under refluxing temperature and gave 4‐(4′‐N‐1,8‐naphthalimidophenyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolidine‐3,5‐dione ( NIPTD ) ( 3 ) in high yield and purity. The compound NIPTD was reacted with excess n‐propylisocyanate in N,N‐dimethylacetamide solution and gave 1‐(n‐propylamidocarbonyl)‐4‐[4′‐(1,8‐naphthalimidophenyl)]‐1,2,4‐triazolidine‐3,5‐dione ( 4 ) and 1,2‐bis(n‐propylamidocarbonyl)‐4‐[4′‐(1,8‐naphthalimidophenyl)]‐1,2,4‐ triazolidine‐3,5‐dione ( 5 ) as model compounds. Solution polycondensation reactions of monomer 3 with hexamethylene diisocyanate ( HMDI ), isophorone diisocyanate ( IPDI ), and tolylene‐2,4‐diisocyanate ( TDI ) were performed under microwave irradiation and conventional solution polymerization techniques in different solvents and in the presence of different catalysts, which led to the formation of novel aliphatic‐aromatic polyureas. The polycondensation proceeded rapidly, compared with conventional solution polycondensation, and was almost completed within 8 min. These novel polyureas have inherent viscosities in a range of 0.06–0.20 dL g^?1 in conc. H₂SO₄ or DMF at 25°C. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these novel polymers are reported. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2861–2869, 2003     

Retro‐Diels–Alder Reactions of Masked Cyclopentadienones Catalyzed by Heterogeneous Brønsted Acids

The zeolite H‐Beta catalyzes the retro‐Diels–Alder reaction of a range of cyclopentadiene cyclo‐adducts at moderate temperatures and ambient pressure, in the presence of an active dienophile. The active catalyst was identified and optimum reaction conditions established after screening a range of zeolites in the retro‐Diels–Alder reaction of the cyclopentadiene adduct of cyclopentenone. Our results suggest that retro‐Diels–Alder reactions of tricyclodecadienones are catalyzed by Brønsted acids and the high catalytic performance of H‐Beta catalysts can be ascribed to the optimal balance between the number of acid sites and their strength as well as to the accessibility of these sites. The methodology was then applied to a series of alkyl derivatives of cyclopentadienylcyclopentenones to provide a viable alternative synthetic route to 4‐alkylcyclopentenones and the versatility of the approach was demonstrated by the successful cycloreversion of N‐cyclohexyl‐2‐azanorborn‐5‐ene.     

Microwave‐assisted rapid polycondensation reaction of 4‐(4′‐acetamidophenyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolidine‐3,5‐dione with diisocyanates

4‐(4′‐Aminophenyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolidine‐3,5‐dione was reacted with 1 mol of acetyl chloride in dry N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) at ?15°C and 4‐(4′‐acetamidophenyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolidine‐3,5‐dione [4‐(4′‐acetanilido)‐1,2,4‐triazolidine‐3,5‐dione] (APTD) was obtained in high yield. The reaction of the APTD monomer with excess n‐isopropylisocyanate was performed at room temperature in DMAc solution. The resulting bis‐urea derivative was obtained in high yield and was finally used as a model for the polymerization reaction. The step‐growth polymerization reactions of monomer APTD with hexamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, and tolylene‐2,4‐diisocyanate were performed under microwave irradiation and solution polymerization in the presence of pyridine, triethylamine, or dibutyltin dilaurate as a catalyst. Polycondensation proceeded rapidly, compared with conventional solution polycondensation; it was almost completed within 8 min. The resulting novel polyureas had an inherent viscosity in the range of 0.07–0.17 dL/g in dimethylformamide or sulfuric acid at 25°C. These polyureas were characterized by IR, ¹H‐NMR, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. The physical properties and structural characterization of these novel polyureas are reported. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2103–2113, 2004     

A new method for producing optically active polybutadiene

The anionic polymerization of butadiene monomer in cyclohexane at 20°C gave polybutadiene (PB50) with a narrow molecular weight distribution. This polymer was allowed to react with 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione via the ‘ene’ reaction to the extent of 5, 10 and 15%. These functionalized polymers were reacted with N-phthaloyl-L -leucine acid chloride in the presence of pyridine at room temperature. These reactions lead to the replacement of N-H by an optically active group, and the resulting polymers became optically active. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these optically active polybutadienes are reported. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of novel poly(amide imide)s based on bis(p‐amidobenzoic acid)‐n‐trimellitylimido‐L‐leucine

N‐Trimellitylimido‐L ‐leucine was reacted with thionyl chloride, and N‐trimellitylimido‐L ‐leucine diacid chloride was obtained in a quantitative yield. The reaction of this diacid chloride with p‐aminobenzoic acid was performed in dry tetrahydrofuran, and bis(p‐amidobenzoic acid)‐N‐trimellitylimido‐L ‐leucine (5) was obtained as a novel optically active aromatic imide–amide diacid monomer in a high yield. The direct polycondensation reaction of the monomer imide–amide diacid 5 with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone, 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylether, 1,4‐phenylenediamine, 1,3‐phenylenediamine, 2,4‐diaminotoluene, and benzidine (4,4′‐diaminobiphenyl) was carried out in a medium consisting of triphenyl phosphite, N‐methyl‐2‐pyrolidone, pyridine, and calcium chloride. The resulting novel poly(amide imide)s (PAIs), with inherent viscosities of 0.22–0.52 dL g^?1, were obtained in high yields, were optically active, and had moderate thermal stability. All of the compounds were fully characterized with IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and specific rotation. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these new optically active PAIs are reported. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 35–43, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10181     

Synthesis of new poly(amide–imide)s derived from trimellitylimido‐L‐phenylalanine

N‐Trimellitylimido‐L ‐phenylalanine was prepared from the reaction of 1,2,4‐benzenetricarboxylic anhydride with L ‐phenylalanine in N,N‐dimethylformamide solution at refluxing temperature. The direct polycondensation reaction of the monomer imide‐diacid with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone, 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane, 1,4‐phenylenediamine, 1,3‐phenylenediamine, 2,4‐diaminotoluene, 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylether and benzidine was carried out in a medium consisting of triphenyl phosphite, N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, pyridine and calcium chloride. The resulting poly(amide–imide)s, PAIs, having inherent viscosities of 0.21–0.45 dlg^?1 were obtained in high yield. All of the above compounds were fully characterized by IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The optical rotation of all PAIs has also been measured. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these new optically active PAIs are reported. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

High performance bio‐based thermosetting resins composed of tung oil and bismaleimide

The reaction of tung oil (TO) and 1,1′‐(methylenedi‐4,1‐phenylene)bismaleimide (BMI) in 1,3‐dimethyl‐2‐imidazolidinone (DMI) at 150°C for 4 h and subsequent precipitation gave TO/BMI prepolymer, which was cured at 200°C for 2 h gave crosslinked TO/BMI product with CC ratio from 1/1 to 1/4. The FE‐SEM analysis revealed that all the cured products are homogeneous and no phase separation was observed. The glass transition temperature and 5% weight loss temperature of the cured TO/BMI increased with increasing BMI content. The maximal tensile strength (38.1 MPa) and modulus (2.6 GPa) were obtained for the cured products with the CC ratios of 1/2 and 1/3, respectively. To evaluate the reaction of TO and BMI, the model reaction products of TO and N‐phenylmaleimide (PMI) in DMI were analyzed by ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. The NMR data of the reaction products of TO/PMI with the CC ratio 2/1, 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4 at 150°C for 24 h revealed that Diels‐Alder reaction preferentially occurred at 2/1, and that ene reaction and other reactions such as radical homo and copolymerization gradually increased with decreasing CC ratio of TO/PMI. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Application of microwave irradiation for synthesis of novel optically active poly(amide imides) derived from diacid chloride containing epiclon and L‐isoleucine with aromatic diamines

Epiclon [3a,4,5,7a‐tetrahydro‐7‐methyl‐5‐(tetrahydro‐2,5‐dioxo‐3‐furanyl)‐1,3‐isobenzofurandione] or [5‐(2,5‐dioxotetrahydrofurfuryl)‐3‐methyl‐3‐cyclohexyl‐1,2‐dicarboxylic acid anhydride] (1) was reacted with L ‐isoleucine (2) in acetic acid and the resulting imide acid (3) was obtained in high yield. The diacid chloride (4) was obtained from diacid derivative (3) by reaction with thionyl chloride. The polycondensation reaction of diacid chloride (4) with several aromatic diamines such as 4,4′‐sulfonyldianiline (5a), 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl methane (5b), 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylether (5c), p‐phenylenediamine (5d), m‐phenylenediamine (5e), 2,4‐diaminotoluene (5f), and 4,4′‐diaminobiphenyl (5g) was developed by using a domestic microwave oven in the presence of a small amount of a polar organic medium such as o‐cresol. The polymerization reactions were also performed in two other different methods: low‐temperature solution polycondensation and reflux conditions. A series of optically active poly(amide imides) with inherent viscosity of 0.12–0.30 dL/g were obtained. All of the above polymers were fully characterized by IR, elemental analyses, and specific rotation techniques. Some structural characterizations and physical properties of these optically active poly(amide imides) are reported. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2218–2229, 2004     

Synthesis of novel azo‐containing polyureas derived from 4‐[4′‐(2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthylazo)phenyl]‐1,2,4‐triazolidine‐3,5‐dione

4‐[4′‐(2‐Hydroxy‐1‐naphthylazo)phenyl]‐1,2,4‐triazolidine‐3,5‐dione ( HNAPTD ) ( 1 ) has been reacted with excess amount of n‐propylisocyanate in DMF (N,N‐dimethylformamide) solution at room temperature. The reaction proceeded with high yield, and involved reaction of both N? H of the urazole group. The resulting bis‐urea derivative 2 was characterized by IR, ¹H‐NMR, elemental analysis, UV‐Vis spectra, and it was finally used as a model compound for the polymerization reaction. Solution polycondensation reactions of monomer 1 with Hexamethylene diisocyanate ( HMDI ) and isophorone diisocyanate ( IPDI ) were performed in DMF in the presence of pyridine as a catalyst and lead to the formation of novel aliphatic azo‐containing polyurea dyes, which are soluble in polar solvents. The polymerization reaction with tolylene‐2,4‐diisocyanate ( TDI ) gave novel aromatic polyurea dye, which is insoluble in most organic solvents. These novel polyureas have inherent viscosities in a range of 0.15–0.22 g dL^?1 in DMF at 25°C. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these novel polymers are reported. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3177–3183, 2001     

Block and Random Living,Ring‐Opening Metathesis Copolymerization of Functionally Differentiated Carbazole‐Containing Norbornene Monomers

The synthesis of novel diblock polymers containing both a potential charge transport and a non‐linear optic block has been accomplished. The synthesis exploits the living, ring‐opening metathesis block copolymerization of two norbornene type monomers, one of which contains an unsubstituted N‐carbazolyl ring while the other has a bromo substituent at the 3‐position of the carbazole ring. Conversion of the bromo functionality to a 2,2‐dicyanovinyl group introduces the non‐linear optic property. The first monomer was prepared by the previously reported efficient cation radical Diels–Alder cycloaddition of N‐trans‐1‐propenylcarbazole to 1,3‐cyclopentadiene, while the second was obtained by N‐bromosuccinimide bromination of the first monomer. For purposes of comparison, the corresponding random copolymer was also synthesized.     

First Examples of Proline‐Catalyzed Domino Knoevenagel/Hetero‐Diels–Alder/Elimination Reactions

A novel and efficient one‐pot synthesis of lactones (pyranones) has been achieved by domino Knoevenagel/hetero‐Diels–Alder/elimination reactions of O‐ and N‐prenyl aldehyde derivatives with Meldrum's acid in the presence of L ‐ or D ,L ‐proline. The reaction proceeds cleanly at room temperature to afford cis‐ or trans‐fused products in good yields with high diastereoselectivity.     

Step‐growth polymerization of 5‐[(9,10‐dihydro‐9,10‐ethanoanthracene‐11,12‐dicarboximido)‐3‐methylbutanoyl‐amino]isophthalic acid with aromatic diols

cis‐9,10‐dihydro‐9,10‐ethanoanthracene‐11,12‐dicarboxylic acid anhydride ( 1 ) was converted to imide acid ( 2 ) by reaction with S‐valine. Compound 2 was converted to the acid chloride ( 3 ) by reaction with thionyl chloride and then treated with 5‐aminoisophthalic acid in dry N,N‐dimethylacetamide to obtain 5‐[(9,10‐dihydro‐9,10‐ethanoanthracene‐11,12‐dicarboximido)‐3‐methylbutanoylamino]isophthalic acid ( 4 ). Direct step‐growth polymerization of this novel chiral diacid monomer 4 with a series of different diols in a system of tosyl chloride, pyridine, and N,N‐dimethylformamide was carried out. The optically active polyesters (PEs) were obtained with good yield and moderate inherent viscosity ranging from 0.23 to 0.48 dL/g. The resulting polymers were characterized with FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, and elemental analysis techniques. The prepared PEs showed good thermal stability up to 320°C as measured by thermogravimetric analysis. Specific rotation experiments demonstrated the induction of optical activity due to successful insertion of S‐valine in the structure of pendant groups. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Synthesis and properties of new polymerized monomer reactants matrix resins of pyrrolone–benzimidazole copolymers containing pyridine unit

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 T_g was at 413.5°C for 3,5‐PPBP‐20 molded plate. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 3981–3990, 2004     

Polymerization of acrylated epoxidized soybean oil with phenol furfural resins via repeated forward and retro diels–alder reactions

In this work, the Diels–Alder reaction between the acrylate groups of acrylated epoxidized soybean oil and the furan rings of p‐tertiary butyl phenol furfural resin (TBPF) is described. The reaction was carried out at 110°C in presence of FeCl₃ catalyst, and tough polymers were obtained in 1 h. Surprisingly, samples that were heated and cooled 5, 10, and 20 times to 140°C and room temperature had better mechanical properties than samples that were kept at 140°C for the same total duration. This unexpected behavior is attributed to a series of forward and retro Diels–Alder reactions between the functional groups. To prove this hypothesis, a model reaction between TBPF and n‐butyl acrylate was studied. At 100°C, ¹H‐nuclear magnetic resonance signals of the furan ring protons disappeared, only to reappear at 140°C. Thermogravimetric analysis of the adduct showed a weight loss at 140–150°C, which was in quantitative agreement with the amount of butyl acrylate. Infrared analysis showed that furan rings were not completely consumed by extended heating at 110°C. After five heating and cooling cycles of much shorter duration at 140°C, the furan absorption in the infrared disappeared. The storage modulus of acrylated epoxidized soybean oil‐TBPF samples after 20 heating cycles was 1.15 GPa. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011