Crosslinking of polystyrene via pendant maleimide groups

Maleimide groups were incorporated into polystyrene by a mild Friedel–Crafts procedure using N-chloromethylmaleimide. Films and solutions of the modified polymer underwent photocrosslinking at a rate that was not appreciably affected by addition of photosensitizer. Free radical, thermal, and Diels–Alder crosslinking were also investigated.