Synthesis and characterization of polymerizable bisphthalonitrile monomers

The reactions of 4-aminophthalonitrile (APN) with 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPTDA), and with 1,2,3,4-benzenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PMDA) have been studied to optimize the conditions for the synthesis of monomeric thermosetting bisphthalonitrile compound. Suitable procedures for the synthesis of the two monomers are presented. Elemental analyses, IR spectra, dynamic thermogravimetric analyses, differential scanning calorimetry, ¹H-NMR, and mass spectral studies have been used to characterize these compounds. Preliminary observations show that these materials can be polymerized to give high-temperature-resistant materials.