Thermal degradation behavior of maleimide-methacrylate copolymers bearing pendant allyl groups

Abstract

Maleimide copolymers bearing pendant allyl groups were obtained by radical copolymerization of maleimide and allylmaleimide with methylmethacrylate and allylmethacrylate in bulk and methanol solution in the presence of AIBN. The structural features of the copolymers were studied using UV, IR, and NMR spectroscopy. During the copolymerization of maleimide with allylmethacrylate and N-allylmaleimide with methylmethacrylate at high conversions, an increase in the viscosity of the system is observed, which results in cross-linking along the “allyl bonds” of side polymer chains with the formation of insoluble copolymers that swell in DMSO. Copolymerization of N-allylmaleimide with allylmethacrylate already at initial conversions leads to the formation of crosslinked copolymers with high heat resistance. The thermal degradation behavior of copolymers was studied and the volatile products were investigated.