| Abstract: | A variety of techniques were used to follow the thermal degradation of a poly(parabanic acid) (PPA-M). The kinetic data associated with the weight loss as a function of time at elevated temperatures indicates a random initiation process followed by depolymerization. Infrared and mass spectral techniques further confirmed the kinetic data by showing the presence of isocyanate and amide groups in addition to CO, CO2, and nitric oxide gases being evolved. Incipient gelation occurs simultaneously with the formation of the amide. A reverse Hoffman rearrangement mechanism has been proposed which appears to be consistent with the available experimental data. |
