DABCO- and DBU-intercalated α-zirconium phosphate as latent thermal catalysts in the copolymerization of glycidyl phenyl ether (GPE) and hexahydro-4-methylphthalic anhydride (MHHPA)

Abstract

The latent catalytic abilities of tertiary amines-intercalated α-zirconium phosphate [(α-ZrP·amine): 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (α-ZrP·DABCO) and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene (α-ZrP·DBU)] were examined by copolymerization of glycidyl phenyl ether (GPE) and hexahydro-4-methylphthalic anhydride (MHHPA) at varying temperatures for 1h periods. Polymerization was not observed until the reactants were heated to 100°C or above. Upon increasing the temperature, the conversion factors of GPE increased such that, at 140°C, both conversions were over 90% for α-ZrP·DABCO and α-ZrP·DBU. The thermal stabilities of GPE and MHHPA with the catalysts at 40°C for 144h were tested: GPE with α-ZrP·DBU achieved conversions of 9%. The reaction in the presence of α-ZrP·DABCO did not proceed at 40°C for 144h.