Synthesis and characterization of novel fluorinated polyimides derived from 1,1′-bis(4-aminophenyl)-1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethane and aromatic dianhydrides

A novel fluorinated aromatic diamine 1,1′-bis(4-aminophenyl)-1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethane (6FDAM) was synthesized in a simple procedure, which was then employed to prepare a series of fluorinated polyimides with commercial aromatic dianhydrides, such as pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane (6FDA), 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA). The polyimides exhibited good solubility in strong dipolar solvents such as NMP, DMAc, DMF and m-cresol as well as some of low boiling point organic solvents of THF and CHCl₃, etc. Experimental results indicated the polyimides possessed low moisture adsorptions of 0.42-0.95%, low dielectric constant of 2.71-2.95 at 1 MHz, high dielectric strength of 92.0-122.6 kV/mm and good optical transparency with cutoff wavelengths of UV-vis at 330-375 nm. The polyimides also exhibited good mechanical properties as well as excellent thermal and thermo-oxidative stability. The fluorinated polyimides possessed better solubility, lower dielectric constant and water adsorption as well as higher optical transparency than the representative non-fluorinated polyimide derived from PMDA and 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA).     

Synthesis and characterization of soluble polyimides based on a new fluorinated diamine: 4-Phenyl-2,6-bis[3-(4′-amino-2′-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy) phenyl] pyridine

A new kind of pyridine-containing aromatic diamine monomer, 4-phenyl-2,6-bis[3-(4′-amino-2′-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy) phenyl] pyridine (m-PAFP), was successfully synthesized by a modified Chichibabin reaction of 3-(4′-nitro-2′-trifluoro-methyl-phenoxy)-acetophenone with benzaldehyde, followed by a catalytic reduction. A series of fluorinated pyridine-bridged aromatic poly(ether-imide)s were prepared from the resulting diamine monomer with various aromatic dianhydrides via a conventional two-step thermal or chemical imidization method. The inherent viscosities values of these polyimides were in the range of 0.56-1.02 dL/g, and they could be cast and thermally converted into transparent, flexible, and tough polyimide films. The polyimides displayed higher solubility in polar solvents such as NMP, DMSO and m-cresol. The polyimides had good thermal stability, with the glass transition temperatures (T_g) of 187-211 °C, the temperatures at 5% weight loss of 511-532 °C, and the residue at 800 °C in air was higher than 50%. These films also had dielectric constants of 2.64-2.74 at 10 MHz and low water uptake 0.53-0.66%. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that these polyimides were predominantly amorphous. Moreover, the polymer films of these novel polyimides showed outstanding mechanical properties with the tensile strengths of 90.1-96.6 MPa, elongations at breakage of 8.9-10.7% and tensile modulus of 1.65-1.98 GPa.     

Synthesis and properties of new fluorinated polyarylates derived from 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethane and aromatic diacid chlorides

A new series of fluorine-containing polyarylates were synthesized by interfacial or high-temperature solution polymerization of 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethane with six aromatic diacyl chlorides. These polyarylates had inherent viscosities ranging from 0.47 to 1.37 dl/g that corresponded to weight-average and number-average molecular weights (by gel permeation chromatography) of 35,800-72,400 and 30,700-67,700, respectively. All polymers were highly soluble in a variety of solvents, and could afford tough, transparent, and colorless films via solution casting. The glass-transition temperatures of the polymers ranged from 209 to 271 °C. All of them did not show significant decomposition below 450 °C in both nitrogen and air atmospheres.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel fluorinated polyimides derived from 4-phenyl-2,6-bis[4-(4′-amino-2′-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)phenyl]pyridine and dianhydrides

A series of organo-soluble polyimides were prepared from a novel fluorinated diamine monomer, 4-phenyl-2,6-bis[4-(4′-amino-2′-trifluoromethylphenoxy)phenyl]pyridine and various commercial aromatic dianhydrides. These polyimides had good solubility in common organic solvents. The obtained strong and flexible PI films exhibited excellent thermal stability with the decomposition temperature (at 5% weight loss) of above 561 °C and the glass transition temperature in the range of 258-312 °C. Moreover, the polymer films showed good electrical insulating property, low dielectric constant and low water uptake due to the introduction of fluorinated substitutes in the polymer backbone. The remarkable combined features ensure these polymers to be ideal candidate materials for advanced microelectronic industry and other related applications.     

Synthesis of trifluoromethylated amines using 1,1-bis(dimethylamino)-2,2,2-trifluoroethane

Lewis acid-catalyzed deamination of aminal, 1,1-bis(dimethylamino)-2,2,2-trifluoroethane, using ZnI2 in ether, generates the 2,2,2-trifluoro-1,1-dimethylaminoethyl carbocation, which undergoes synthetically useful electrophilic reactions with alkynes, a variety of electron-rich alkenes, and TMS cyanide to form trifluoromethylated alkynylamines, homoallylic amines, alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones, and cyanoamines in fair to good yields.     

Studies on thermal and morphological properties of 1,1-bis(3-methyl-4-cyanatophenyl)cyclohexane-epoxy-bismaleimide matrices

A new cyanate ester monomer, 1,1-bis(3-methyl-4-cyanatophenyl)cyclohexane has been synthesized and characterized. Epoxy modified with 4, 8 and 12% (by weight) of cyanate ester were made using epoxy resin and 1,1-bis(3-methyl-4-cyanatophenyl)cyclohexane and cured by using diaminodiphenylmethane. The cyanate ester modified epoxy matrix systems were further modified with 4, 8 and 12% (by weight) of bismaleimide (N,N′-bismaleimido-4,4′-diphenylmethane). The formation of oxazolidinone and isocyanurate during cure reaction of epoxy and cyanate ester blend was confirmed by IR spectral studies. Bismaleimide-cyanate ester-epoxy matrices were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and heat deflection temperature (HDT) analysis. Thermal studies indicate that the introduction of cyanate ester into epoxy resin improves the thermal degradation studies at the expense of glass transition temperature. Whereas the incorporation of bismaleimide into epoxy resin enhances the thermal properties according to its percentage content. However, the introduction of both cyanate ester and bismaleimide influences the thermal properties according to their percentage content. DSC thermogram of cyanate ester modified epoxy and bismaleimide modified epoxy show unimodel reaction exotherms. The thermal degradation temperature and heat distortion temperature of the cured bismaleimide modified epoxy and cyanate ester-epoxy systems increased with increasing bismaleimide content. The morphology of the bismaleimide modified epoxy and cyanate ester-epoxy systems were also studied by scanning electron microscopy. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and properties of new pyridine-bridged poly(ether-imide)s based on 4-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2,6-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]pyridine

A novel pyridine-containing aromatic diamine monomer, 4-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2,6-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]pyridine (FAPP), was synthesized via the modified Chichibabin pyridine synthesis of 4-(4-nitrophenoxy)-acetophenone with 4-trifluoromethyl-benzaldehyde, followed by a catalytic reduction. A series of fluorinated pyridine-bridged aromatic poly(ether-imide)s were prepared from the resulting diamine monomer with various aromatic dianhydrides via a conventional two-step process. The resulting polyimides exhibited good solubility in aprotic amide solvents and m-cresol, such as N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and m-cresol, etc., which possessed the inherent viscosities of 0.76-0.91 dL/g. Strong and flexible poly(ether-imide) films were obtained, which showed excellent thermal properties with the glass transition temperatures of 268-353 °C, the temperature at 5% weight loss of 547-595 °C, and the residue at 700 °C of 65-74% in nitrogen, good mechanical properties with the tensile strengths of 87.6-104.2 MPa and elongations at breakage of 8.9-12.6%, and good optical transparency with the cut-off wavelengths of 357-380 nm, as well as low dielectric constants in the range of 2.49-3.04 at 1 MHz and low water uptake 0.43-0.69%. Furthermore, the resulted polyimides derived from FAPP were compared with non-fluorinated analogous polyimides and fluorinated analogous polyimides with trifluoromethyl groups in different positions, and the effects of substituents were also investigated and discussed.     

A novel class of organosoluble and light-colored fluorinated polyamides derived from 2,2-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)biphenyl or 2,2-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-1,1-binaphthyl

Two series of novel fluorinated aromatic polyamides were prepared from 2,2^′-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)biphenyl (2) and 2,2^′-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-1,1^′-binaphthyl (4) with various aromatic dicarboxylic acids using the phosphorylation polycondensation technique. The polyamides had inherent viscosities ranging from 0.43 to 0.62 dl/g and 0.36 to 0.74 dl/g, respectively. All the fluorinated polyamides were soluble in many polar organic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, and afforded transparent, light-colored, and flexible films upon casting from DMAc solvent. These polyamides showed glass-transition temperatures in the ranges of 190-240 °C (for the 6 series from diamine 2) and 247-255 °C (for the 7 series from diamine 4) by differential scanning calorimetry, softening temperatures in the ranges of 196-230 °C (6 series) and 241-291 °C (7 series) by thermomechanical analysis, and decomposition temperatures for 10% weight loss above 420 °C in both nitrogen and air atmospheres.     

High Tg polyimide nanofoams derived from pyromellitic dianhydride and 1,1-bis(4-aminophenyl)-1-phenyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethane

New routes for the synthesis of high T_g thermally stable polymer foams with pore sizes in the nanometer regime have been developed. Foams were prepared by casting well-defined microphase-separated block copolymers comprised of a thermally stable block and a thermally labile material. At properly designed volume fractions the morphology provides a matrix of the thermally stable material with the thermally labile material as the dispersed phase. Upon thermal treatment, the thermally unstable block undergoes thermolysis generating pores, the size and shape of which are dictated by the initial copolymer morphology. Triblock copolymers comprised of a high T_g, amorphous polyimide matrix with poly(propylene oxide) as the thermally decomposable coblock, were prepared. The copolymer synthesis was conducted through the poly(amic acid) precursor and subsequent cyclodehydration to the polyimide by either thermal or chemical means. Dynamic mechanical analysis confirmed microphase separated morphologies for all copolymers, irrespective of the propylene oxide block lengths investigated. Upon decomposition of the thermally labile coblock, a 9–18% reduction in density was observed, consistent with the generation of a foam which was stable to 400°C. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Ordered porous films based on fluorinated polyimide derived from 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride and 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane

One of fluorinated polyimides was synthesized from 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA) and 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (DMMDA) by two-steps method, which had good solubility and hydrophilicity. 6FDA-DMMDA polyimide was dissolved in chloroform (CHCl₃) and cast on a glass substrate in a humid atmosphere. It was found that 6FDA-DMMDA/CHCl₃ solution was easy to form ordered porous structure at high concentration, and the reason was discussed in detail. In addition, the influences of solution concentration, the atmosphere humidity, were also tested.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of 1-(4′-ethyl biphenylyl) 2-(4-alkoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl) acetylenes

A series of l-(4′-ethylbiphenylyl) 2-(4-alkoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)acetylenes and their nonfluorinated analogues have been prepared. The polarizing microscope observation shows that the fluorinated target compounds exhibit enantiotropic nematic phases, whereas the nonfluorinated analogues show complicated DSC results. The effect of structure modification of the core on mesogenic phases was discussed by comparing the data of fluorinated target compounds with those of corresponding nonfluorinated analogues.     

Novel fluorinated polyimides derived from 9,9-bis(4-amino-3,5-difluorophenyl)fluorene and aromatic dianhydrides

Novel fluorinated polyimides (PIs) were prepared from 9,9-bis(4-amino-3,5-difluorophenyl)fluorene with three aromatic dianhydrides via a one-step high-temperature polycondensation procedure. These obtained PIs showed excellent solubility and could be readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents such as NMP, DMAc, DMF, CHCl₃, CH₂Cl₂ and THF. All the PIs could afford flexible and strong films with low dielectric constants (2.62-2.79 at 1 MHz) and low moisture absorptions (0.18-0.41%). Thin films of these PIs exhibited high optical transparency and light color, with the cutoff wavelength at 341-355 nm and transmittance higher than 80% at 450 nm. Meanwhile, these PIs possessed eminent thermal stability, with decomposition temperatures (T_d) above 570 °C in both air and nitrogen atmospheres and glass transition temperatures (T_g) beyond 376 °C. Moreover, these fluorinated PI films showed low surface free energy and hydro-oleophobic character. The contact angles on the films for water and glycerol were in the range of 102.3-107.9° and 94.0-100.3°, respectively. In comparison with the analogous PI non-containing fluorine group, these fluorinated PIs showed better solubility, higher optical transparency, lower dielectric constants and lower surface free energy.     

Preparation and cryogenic mechanical properties of epoxy resins modified by poly(ethersulfone)

A thermoplastic, poly(ethersulfone) (PES) was used to modify a bisphenol‐F based epoxy resin cured with an aromatic diamine. The initial mixtures before curing, prepared by melt mixing, were homogeneous. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of solvent‐etched fracture surfaces of the cured blends indicated that phase separation occurred after curing. The cryogenic mechanical behaviors of the epoxy resins were studied in terms of tensile properties and Charpy impact strength at cryogenic temperature (77 K) and compared to their corresponding behaviors at room temperature (RT). The addition of PES generally improved the tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength at both RT and 77 K except the RT tensile strength at 25 phr PES content. It was interesting to observe that and the maximum values of the tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength occurred at 20 phr PES content where a co‐continuous phase formed. Young's modulus decreased slightly with the increase of the PES content. Moreover, the tensile strength and Young's modulus at 77 K were higher than those at RT at the same composition, whereas the elongation at break and impact strength showed the opposite results. Finally, the differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the glass transition temperature (T_g) was enhanced by the addition of PES. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 612–624, 2008     

Synthesis of a novel DPPA‐containing benzoxazine to flame‐retard epoxy resin with maintained thermal properties

The flame‐retarded epoxy resin with improved thermal properties based on environmentally friendly flame retardants is vital for industrial application. Hereby, a novel reactive‐type halogen‐free flame retardant, 10‐(3‐(4‐hydroxy phenyl)‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[e] [1,3] oxazin‐4‐yl)‐5H‐phenophosphazinine 10‐oxide (DHA‐B) was synthesized via a two‐step reaction route. Its structure was characterized using ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR and HRMS spectra. For 4,4′‐diaminodipheny ethane (DDM) and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)‐cured systems, the epoxy resin with only 2 wt% loading of DHA‐B passed V‐0 rating of UL‐94 test. Significantly, its glass transition temperature (T_g) and initial decomposition temperature (T_5%) were as high as 169.6°C and 359.6°C, respectively, which were even higher than those of the corresponding original epoxy resin. Besides, DHA‐B decreased the combustion intensity during combustion. The analysis of residues after combustion suggested that DHA‐B played an important role in the condensed phase.     

Synthesis,structure and reactivity of novel palladiumdichloride-2,2′-bipyridine with 4,4′-bis(fluorous-ponytail)

With the readily available fluorous alkanols R_fCH₂OH, a series of novel fluorous-ponytailed bpy ligands, 4,4′-bis(R_fCH₂OCH₂)-2,2′-bpy (1a–e), were prepared and treated with [PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] to result in the corresponding novel Pd complexes [PdCl₂(4,4′-bis(R_fCH₂OCH₂)-2,2′-bpy)] (2a–e) where R_f = n-C₃F₇ (a), HCF₂(CF₂)₃ (b), HCF₂(CF₂)₇ (c), n-C₈F₁₇ (d), n-C₁₀F₂₁ (e). The new ligands and Pd complexes were spectroscopically characterized by multi-nuclei NMR (¹H, ¹⁹F and ¹³C), FTIR and high resolution mass (FAB). The structure for the Pd complex 2b, the first with fluorinated ponytails on bpy and not on phosphine, was also established by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The TGA data of both ligands and Pd complexes indicated that the Pd-complexes were resistant to higher temperatures than the corresponding ligands. The Pd catalysts derived from 2a–c showed an almost quantitative conversion and could be reused for eight runs with Heck reactions, in that the products and unspent reactants were directly removed by distillation. With the highest fluorine content in the series, Pd complex 2e was successfully applied in the Heck reaction using the fluorous biphasic catalysis strategy.     

Synthesis and characterization of itaconic‐based epoxy resins

A trifunctional epoxy resin from itaconic acid (TEIA) was synthesized from a renewable resource‐based itaconic acid by allylation of itaconic acid to form diallyl itaconate by using m‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid as oxidizing agents followed by epoxidation of allylic C═C bond of diallyl itaconate methylhexahydropthalic anhydride as curing agent in the presence of 2‐methyl imidazole as a catalyst. The chemical structure of the synthesized resins was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR) spectroscopy analysis. The mechanical, thermal, and rheological performances of the TEIA were also investigated and compared with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and a plant‐based epoxidized soybean oil bioresin cured with the same curing agent. The higher epoxy value of 1.02, lower viscosity (0.96 Pa s at 25°C), higher mechanical, and higher curing reactivity toward methylhexahydropthalic anhydride of TEIA as compared with epoxidized soybean oil and comparable with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A demonstrated significant evidence to design and develop a novel bio‐based epoxy resin with high performance to substitute the petroleum‐based epoxy resin.     

Low flammability and smoke epoxy resins with a novel DOPO‐based imidazolone derivative

In this work, a DOPO‐based imidazolone derivative named DHI was synthesized using DOPO, 5‐amino‐2‐benzimidazolinone and 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde as raw materials. The chemical structure of DHI was characterized by ¹H‐NMR, ³¹P‐NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR). Then, a series of different flame‐retardant epoxy resin (EP) thermosets were prepared by mixing flame retardant DHI. The thermal properties of the cured EPs was investigated by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and the results showed the thermal stability and glass transition temperature (T_g) of the cured EP modified with DHI declined slightly compared with that of neat EP. The limited oxygen index (LOI) and UL94 test results exhibited DHI imparted good flame retardancy to EP. The EP‐4 (phosphorus content of 1.25%) possessed a LOI value of 36.5% and achieved a V‐0 rating. Furthermore, the peak of heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat release rate (THR) of EP‐4 decreased by 38.7% and 24.5%, respectively. Excitedly, the total smoke production (TSP) of EP‐4 sample declined by 62.5%, which meant DHI also made EP obtain excellent smoke suppression property. Moreover, the flame‐retardant mechanism was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and pyrolysis‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py‐GC/MS). It was reasonable inferred that DHI could not only promote EP to form dense char layer in condensed phase, but also restrain combustion in gaseous phase through catching the free radicals sourced from the degradation of EP.     

Synthesis and properties of phosphorus-containing epoxy resins by novel method

Novel phosphorus-containing epoxy resins (1–3% phosphorus content) were synthesized by the reaction of 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene 10-oxide (DOPO) and the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and then cured with 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone or phenol novolac. Differential scanning calorimetry, high performance liquid chromatography, and epoxide equivalent weight titration were used to trace the reaction between the DOPO and the epoxy. The thermal stability and flame retardancy were checked by thermal gravimetric analysis, the limiting oxygen index, and the UL-94 vertical test. The glass transitions were measured by dynamic mechanical analysis. The relation between these properties (thermal stability, flame retardancy, and glass transition) and the DOPO contents (phosphorus content) were discussed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3903–3909, 1999     

Flame retardant epoxy resins based on diglycidyl ether of (2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)diphenyl phosphine oxide

Phosphine oxide-containing epoxy resins were prepared from diglycidyl ether of (2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)diphenyl phosphine oxide and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A by crosslinking with 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane. Several (2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)diphenyl phosphine oxide/diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A molar ratios were used to obtain materials with different phosphorus content. The properties of the thermosetting materials were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and limiting oxygen index and related to the phosphorus content. Thermal and thermooxidative degradation was studied by GC/MS, ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Limiting oxygen index values indicate good flame retardant properties that are related to the formation of a protective phosphorus-rich layer that slowed down the degradation and prevented it from being total. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2142–2151, 2007     

Synthesis and properties of novel fluorinated polyurethane based on fluorinated gemini diol

In the current study, the novel fluorinated polyurethanes (FPUs) that contained the gemini branched fluoroether side groups on the hard segments were developed. In brief, to obtain these FPUs, a new class of fluorinated gemini diol with double‐branched fluoroether side groups was first synthesized and characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry. Subsequently, a series of FPUs were designed and prepared by using hexamethylene diisocyanate, poly (tetramethylene oxide glycol), 1,4‐butanediol, and fluorinated gemini diol. Analysis of the FPUs' surface properties from contact angle analysis indicated that the water contact angle increased from 81° to more than 120° when the content of fluorinated gemini diol was increased. Differential scanning calorimetry results revealed that introduction of fluorinated gemini dio decreased the T_g of FPUs, causing a better phase separation. Results from thermogravimetric analysis studies indicated the thermal stability of FPUs was improved. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy revealed that fluoroether groups migrate to and enrich on the outmost surface of FPUs.