Synthesis of polybenzoxazine precursors using thiols: Simultaneous thiol-ene and ring-opening reactions

A new class of polybenzoxazine precursors of combined molecular structure of benzoxazine in the open and ring form has been developed. Thermally curable benzoxazine networks were obtained by simultaneous photoinduced thiol-ene and Catalytic Opening of the Lateral Benzoxazine Rings by Thiols (COLBERT). The thiol-ene reactions were initiated by photolysis of a free radical photoinitiator, 2, 2-dimethoxy-2-phenyl acetophenone (DMPA), and the competing COLBERT reaction was triggered by thiol compound, 1,2-ethanedithiol, present in the reaction mixture. The extent of reactions was evaluated by conducting experiments both under UV irradiation and in dark using model benzoxazines. The precursor soft films (pre-P(B-ala-DTE)) were prepared by irradiating solutions of diallyl functional benzoxazine (B-ala), 1,2-ethanedithiol and DMPA. The obtained pre-P(B-ala-DTE) films were then cured through thermally activated ring opening reaction of remaining benzoxazine groups yielding a more rigid and tough film. Thermal and mechanical properties of the films were investigated by DSC, DMA and TGA and compared with a typical polybenzoxazine, P(B-ala).