Functionalized monomers based on N-(4-hydroxy phenyl)maleimide

N-(4-Hydroxy phenyl)maleimide (HPMI) is functionalized with acryloyl, methacryloyl, allyl, propargyl and cyanate groups and the structures of the materials are characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. Thermal curing behaviours of the monomers and thermal stabilities of the polymers are studied using thermal analysis. Introduction of polymerizable groups shifts the curing exotherm to low temperatures, and the curing behaviour is dictated by the polymerizable substituent present in the aromatic ring. Polymer from acryloyl-functionalized monomer shows the highest thermal stability (402 °C), whereas the highest char value (49 % at 700 °C) is noted for the polymer obtained from propargyl-functionalized monomer. Polymers derived from functionalization of HPMI with acryloyl and methacryloyl showed better thermal stabilities. Thermosets formed by the thermal polymerization of HPMI functionalized with propargyl and cyanate groups showed higher char values at 700 °C in nitrogen atmosphere.