The preparation,characterization, and cure reactions of new bisbenzocyclobutene‐terminated aromatic imides

Several new bisbenzocyclobutene‐terminated aromatic imides, 2,2′‐bis(N‐4‐benzocyclobutenyl) phthalimide, 2,2′‐bis4‐(N‐4‐benzocyclobutenylphthalimide)]‐ether, 2,2′‐bis4‐(N‐4‐benzocyclobutenylphthalimide)]‐ketone, and 2,2′‐bis4‐(N‐4‐benzo cyclobutenylphthalimid‐4‐oxy) phenyl]‐propane, have been synthesized in high yields and characterized by FTIR, MS, EA, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The polymers cured from benzocyclobutene‐terminated imides have high glass transition temperature and good thermal stabilities. The cure reaction of an imide was studied by FTIR‐ATR (attenuated total reflection) and DSC techniques. Apparent kinetic parameters of the cure reaction are obtained. The apparent cure reaction order, activation energy, and pre‐exponential factor determined by isothermal DSC method are 1, 143.4 kJ/mol, and 3.88× 10¹³ min^?1, and by nonisothermal DSC methods 1, 139.4 kJ/mol, and 2.27× 10¹³ min^?1, respectively. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 1705–1719, 2006