Synthesis and characterization of bisitaconimides. I

Abstract This article describes the synthesis and characterization of bisitaconimides on the basis of 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylether, 2,2′‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane, 1,3‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)benzene, and 1,4‐bis (4‐aminophenoxy)benzene. Isomerization of the itaconimides to citraconimides (varying in the range of 25–40%) was observed during synthesis. The curing exotherm and thermal stability of the cured resins depended on the backbone structure of itaconimides. The curing exotherm immediately followed the melting endotherms. These resins cured at lower temperatures than bismaleimides but thermal stability of cured bismaleimides was higher than bisitaconimides. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2277–2282, 2002