Synthesis and characterization of N,N'-ethanedianilinebisisomaleimide and its polymaleamides with some aliphatic diamines

New polymaleamides have been synthesized by ring-opening polyaddition of N,N'-ethanedianilinebisisomaleimide (EBIMI) to the aliphatic diamines, 1,2-diaminoethane, 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,6-diaminohexane, 1,8-diaminooctane, piperazine, 2,5-dimethylpiperazine and 4,4'-diaminodicyclohexyl-methane in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone and were found to have an inherent viscosity in the range 0.09-0.43 g/dl. The appropriate model compound was also prepared. The identities of EBIMI, the model compound and the polymaleamides were confirmed by their IR, UV and H-1-NMR spectra. The thermal degradation behavior of the polymaleamides is discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.