Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Arylidene and Cardo Ester Bismaleimides and Poly(aminoaspartimide)s Therefrom

Abstract

Six new bismaleimides (BMIs) having arylidene or cardo cycloaliphatic internal moieties were prepared by reacting 4-maleimidobenzoyl chloride with various arylidene or cardo bisphenols. The structures of BMIs were confirmed using elemental analysis data and spectroscopic (IR, 1H-NMR) characterizations. Two poly(aminoaspartimide)s (PAAs) were synthesized to exemplify one of the post-reaction abilities of the BMIs. Thermotropic liquid crystalline behavior was observed by differential scanning calorimetry and polarized light microscopy. The thermal stability of BMIs and PAAs was determined by thermogravimetric analysis and they showed good thermal stability except BMI 10, containing a cyclopentanone unit, which decomposed around 235°C. In this paper, we discuss the synthesis and characterization of these materials.