Preparation and characterization of multifunctional maleimide macromonomers and their cured resins

Abstract Multifunctional compounds with pendent and terminal maleimide groups were prepared through the reaction of 4‐maleimidobenzoic acid and 5‐maleimidoisophthalic acid with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A. The ratios of the pendent maleimide groups to the terminal maleimide groups in the obtained compounds were varied to tailor the chain length and properties of the maleimide compounds. The maleimide group ratios, determined from differential scanning calorimetry, showed good coincidence with the values calculated from the charged monomer amounts. The good solubility and low softening points of the maleimide compounds indicated their good processability. High glass‐transition temperatures (220 °C) were observed for the cured resins because of the relatively high crosslinking density. The curing reaction, thermal stability, and degradation behavior of the resins were also studied with differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3178–3188, 2004