Kinetics and mechanism of epoxy oligomers curing

A review of new results concerning kinetics, thermodynamics and mechanism of epoxy oligomers curing with various nucleophilic agents (amines, phenols, carboxylic acids) has been made. The concept of the mechanism of such reactions is formulated on the basis of this study. Kinetic data obtained are interpreted within the framework of cyclic transition state. The addition of nucleophilic agent to epoxy ring is rather complicated. It results from preliminary formation of homo- and heteroassociates of reaction system components which finally form reactive cyclic heteroassociates. Reaction products are formed as a result of monomolecular rearrangement with synchronous transfer of electrons in the reactive cyclic heteroassociates.