Synthesis and thermal polymerization of a novel stilbene-maleimide AB-monomer

A novel AB-monomer, 3-maleimidostilbene (ST-MAI), was synthesized. DSC investigation indicated that the ST-MAI monomer melted at 127 degrees C and thermally polymerized in the temperature range of 180 similar to 300 degrees C. LR investigation on the thermal polymerization processes proved that the thermal polymerization included not only copolymerizaiton between stilbene and maleimide, but also homopolymerization of maleimide. The largest reaction conversion of maleimide and stilbene unit in a ST-MAI monomer was about 82% and 50% respectively. The glass transition temperature of cured ST-MAI resin was 234 degrees C, determined by DSC. The decomposition temperatures for 10% weight loss was above 430 degrees C in both air and nitrogen atmospheres.