Synthesis, characterization, and properties of new thermally curable polyetheresters containing benzoxazine moieties in the main chain

High molecular weight polyetheresters (PEE) containing thermally curable benzoxazine units in the main chain have been synthesized. For this purpose, first the diol functional monomer is synthesized through the Mannich reaction of 4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol A), formaldehyde, and 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol. Polycondensation of the resulting benzoxazine dietherdiol with adipoyl chloride and terephthaloyl dichloride in the presence of triethyl amine yields the corresponding PEE with the molecular weights of 34.000 Da. The structures of the precursor diol monomer and the resulting PEEs are confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-NMR) analysis. Curing behavior of both the monomer and polymers has also been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Flexible free standing transparent films of the PEEs are obtained by solvent casting from dichloromethane solution on Teflon plates. The films preserve shape and, to some extent, toughness after thermal curing between 140 and 220°C. Thermal properties of the cured polymers are also investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).