Synthesis and Polymerization of Bismaleimide Derived from 5(6)-amino-1(4′-aminophenyl)-1,3,3′-trimethyl indane

The acid-catalyzed dimerization of α-methyl styrene led to the formation of trimethyl phenyl indane, which on nitration followed by reduction using hydrazine hydrate gave 5(6)-amino-1(4′-aminophenyl)-1,3,3′-trimethyl indane. This aromatic diamine was used to synthesize bismaleamic acid and imidized to yield bismaleimide. The bismaleamic acid was converted to prepolymer directly by imidizing it in refluxing toluene. All the materials synthesized were characterized using FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR. The direct inlet mass spectral characterizations were carried out for bismaleamic acid, bismaleimide and bismaleimide prepolymer. The fragmentation pattern was discussed in detail and the structure proposed was confirmed. The thermogravimetric studies were done for all the materials and kinetic parameters (energy of activation and frequency factor) were calculated using Dharwadkar and Kharkhanavala method. The structural changes occurring in the thermally polymerized bismaleimide and bismaleimide prepolymer were discussed.