CA1305488C - Cyanate functional maleimides - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Thermoset products are prepared by polymerizing (A) at least one thermosettable compound which contains simultaneously in the same molecule only one maleimide or substituted maleimide group which groups are represented by the formula wherein each R and R1 is independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and only one cyanate group such as 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-34,329-F

1H-pyrrol-1-yl) phenyl cyanate, and optionally (B) at least one of (1) at least one aromatic polycyanate such as bisphenol A dicyanate; (2) at least one polymaleimide such as N,N'-(methylenedi-p-phenylene)bismaleimide; (3) at least one material having an average of more than one vicinal epoxide group per molecule such as a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A; (4) at least one polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated material such as styrene; or (5) a mixture of any two or more of components 1-4 in any combination. Thermosettable compositions containing (A) and optionally (B) are useful, for example, for preparing castings, laminates and coatings. Many of the compositions of the present invention possess improved mechanical properties, improved moisture resistance and improved processability.

Description

_ 1 _ CYANATE FUNCTIONAL MALEIMIDES

: This invention pertains to thermosettable compositions which simultaneously contain both a maleimide group and a cyanate group.
Aromatic polycyanates which are thermosettable to polytriazines are known, for example, from U.S.
. Patent Nos. 3,448,079; 3,553,244; 3,694,410; 3,740,348;
3,755,402; 4,0949852 and 4,097,455. Said polytriazines : ~ 10 possess excellent heat resistance, however, an : ~ improvement in their mechanical properties, especially tensile strength and elongation would be desirable.
:~ F~urthermore, there is substantial room for im~rovement : in the moisture resistanc~e of said polytriazines.
: : ; 15~
Polymaleimides which are thermosettable are known, ~or example, from U.S. Patent No. 2,444,536 and rom ew Industrial:Pol~mers, Rudolph D. Deanin (editorj, ACS Symposium Serie~ 4 published by American Chemical Society:,: Washi~ngton, D.C. (1972), pages 100-;1:23. Sa:id polymaleimides are typically difficult to process and cure due to high melting pointsj poor :25~ ~ :
:~ : , ~ , 34,329-F -1-' 1~32~ 7~069-20 solvent solubility and slow curing rates. The thermoset (cured) polymaleimides are very brittle and thus of limited utility.
Copolymerization products of compounds containing two or more maleimide groups with compounds containing two or more cyanate groups are also known, for example, ~rom Proc.
Electr./Electron. Insul. Conf., 1981, 15th, pages 168-171.
Representative of said copolymerization products is the bismale-imide-triazine resin prepared ~y copolymerization of bisphenol A
dicyanate and N,N'-(methylenedi-p-phenylene) bismaleimide. Pre-paration of said copolymerization products always requires premixing or contactin~ together two separate components: the polycyanate compound and the polymaleimide compound.
The present invention provides novel compositions which simultaneously contain both a maleimide group and a cyanate group. Said compositions are thermosettable to useful polymeric ~cured) compositions including castings, laminates, coatings and the like. Many o~ the compositions of the present invention possess improved mechanical properties and improved moisture ~ reslstance when compared to the polytriazines of the prior art.
In addition, improved processability is inherent to the composi-tions of`the present invention.
One aspect o~ the present invention concerns a ; composition comprising at least one thermosettable compound which contains a compound represented by the formulas ::

::

:;: lB

- "' .

~L3~
- 3 ~ 74069-20 ( I ) N = C-0 ~N~`

(~ )4 ., , o (II) N--C-0--~ (A)n ~ N~

(R' )4 ~R' )4 wherein each R and Rl is independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; each-R' is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms/ or halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine; A is a divalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, :
O O O O
.. .. .. ..
~ O-, -C-, -S-, -S-S-, -S-, -S- or -O-C-O-; n has a value of .~ ~ O
10 ~: : zero or 1.
The term hydrocarbyl as employed herein means any aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, aryl substituted aliphatic or~allphatic substituted aromatic groups~ Likewise, the term hydrocarbyloxy group~means hydrocarbyl group having an oxygen : linkage between it and the object to which it is attached.
Another aspect of the present invention concerns the product resulting from polymerizing the aforesaid composition.

:

,~

~3~ 8~

A further aspect of the present invention concerns a composition which comprises (A) at least one thermosettable compound which simul-taneously contains in the same molecule only one maleimide or substituted maleimide group which grsups are represented by the formula o ~Rl wherein each R and Rl is independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and only one cyanate group and (B) at least one of : Il) at least one aromatic polycyanate;

(2) at least one polymaleimide;

(3) at least one material having an average of : more than one vicinal epoxide group per molecule or (4) at least one polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated material;
: wherein component (A) comprises from l to 99, preferably from 1 to 75, most preferably from~5 to 50 percent by weight of the combined weight o~ components (A) and (B).
~ 20 An additional aspect of the present invention con-;~ cerns the product resulting from copolymerizing the aforementioned composition.

: ~

.: .

~3~S488 Particularly suitable compositions include, for example, 4~ 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH-pyrrol-l-yl)phenyl)-l-methylethyl)-phenyl cyanate; 4-(1-(4-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH-pyrrol-l-yl)phenyl)-l-methylethyl)phenyl cyanate; 4-(1-(4-(2,5-; dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH-pyrrol-l-yl)phenyl)ethyl)phenyl cyanate;
4-(4-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH-pyrrol-l-yl)phenoxy)phenyl cyanate; 4-((4-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH-pyrrol-l-yl)phenyl)-thio)phenyl cyanate; 4-(4~(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH-pyrrol-l-yl)benzoyl)phenyl cyanate; 4-((4-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH-pyrrol-l-yl)phenyl)sulfonyl)phenyl cyanate, 4-tl-(4-(2,5-dihydro-3-methyl-2,5-dioxo-lH-pyrrol-l-yl)phenyl)-l-methylethyl)phenyl cyanate; 2,6-dibromo-4-(1-(3,5-dibromo-4-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH-pyrrol-ll-yl)phenyl)-l-methylethyl)phenyl cyanate; 4-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH-pyrrol l-yl~-3-methylphenyl cyanate; 4-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH-pyrrol-l-yl)phenyl cyanate and 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH-pyrrol-l-yl)phenyl cyanate.
:

:

::
: :~

; :

~ ~ B

.~ . ., 3t~S~

The compositions which simultaneously contain both a male-imide group and a cyanate group can be prapared by reacting a stoichiometric quantity of a maleic anhydride per amine group of a hydroxy(amino)aryl or a hydroxyarylaminoaryl compound in the presence of a suitable solvent then cyanating the resulting hydroxyaryl maleimide product.
Suitable maleic anhydrides include, for example9 those represented by the formula R ~ ~ (III) O

wherein R and R1 are as hereinbefore de~ined.
Suitable maleic anhydrides include maleic anhydride, methyl maleic anhydride, and mixtures thereof. Most preferred as the maleic anhydride is maleic anhydride, per se, . ~ Suita~le hydroxy(amino)aryl and hydroxyaryl-aminoaryl compounds include, for example, those repre-3 sented by the formulas ~ .
:
: 35 : 34,32g-F -6-- :

(IV)H0 ~ NH2 (R')4 10, (V~H0 ~ (A)~ ~ -NH2 (R')4 (R')4 wherein R', A, and n are as hereinbefore defined.
: Suitable hydroxy(amino)aryl and hydroxyaryl-aminoaryl compounds include o-aminophenol; m-: 20 aminophenol; p-aminophenol; 2-methoxy-4-hydroxy 1-: : aminobenzene; 3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-1-aminobenzene; 3-cyclohexyl-4-hydroxy-1-aminobenzene; 2,6-dibromo-4-d hydroxy-1-aminobenzene; 5-butyl-4-hydroxy~
aminobenzene; 3-phenyl-4-hydroxy-1-aminobenzene; 4-(1-~;~ 25 (3-aminophenyl)-1-methylethyl)phenol; 4-(1-(4-aminophenyl~-1-methylethyl)phenol; 4~ (4-aminophenyl)ethyl)phe~nol; 4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenol; 4-4~aminophényl)thio)phenol; (4-aminophenyl)(4-hydroxy-phenyl)methanone; 4-((4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl)phenol and 4-(1-(4-amino-3,5-dibromophenyl)-1-methylethyl)-2,6-di-; bromophenol.~
: : Specific methods for preparing 2-(4'-hydroxy-: aryl)-2-(4'-aminoaryl)propanes suitable for use as the :: .

34,329-F -7-~

: : -:~

~3~Si4 ~8--hydroxyarylaminoaryl compound are taught by U.S~ Patent No. 4,374,272.
Suitable solvents inelude aliphatie monocar-boxylic aeids such as acetic ae;d, propionie aeid, and mixtures thereof. Most preferred as the solvent is aeetie acid~ The maleamic acid resulting from reaction of a maleie anhydride and a hydroxy(amino)aryl or hydroxyarylaminoaryl eompound, typieally in an inert solvent sueh as ehloroform, toluene or dioxane, may be isolated then dehydrated in an aliphatic monoearboxylie aeid to the eorresponding phenolie functional maleimide. Alternately, the reaction may be performed in a sin~le eontinuous step in the aliphatie monoearboxylie aeid solvent. The produet resulting from this reaetion is a phenolie funetional maleimide represented by the formulas (VI) H0 ~ N
(R')4 (R')4 (R')4 R

(VII) H0 ~ (A3n ~ - N

:

:~: :: :
34,329-F -8-;; :
,.. , ~ .
':

" ~L3~4~8 g wherein R, R1, R' 9 A, and n are as hereinbefore defined.
Compounds which simultaneously contain both the maleimide group and the cyanate group are conveniently prepared by reacting a stoichiometric quantity or a slight stoichiometric excess (up to 20 percent excess) of a c~anogen halide with a phenolic functional maleimide, such as those represented by formulas ~VI) and (VII), in the presence of a stoichiometric quantity o~ a base material.
Suitable cyanogen halides include cyanogen bromide and cyanogen chloride. Alternately, the method of Martin and Bauer described in Or~anic Synthesis, Volume 61, pp. 35-68 ~1983) and published by lohn Wiley and Sons can be used to generate the required cyanogen halide in situ from sodium cyanide and a halogen such as chlorine or bromine.
Suitable bases include both inorganic bases and tertiary amines such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide9 triethylamine, and mixtures thereof. Most preferred as the base is triethylamine.
Suitable solvents include water, acetone, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones and the like. Most preferred solvents are acetone and methylene chloride.
Reaction temperatures of from -40 to 60C are operable 3 with temperatures of 20 to 25C being preferred.
Suitable materials having an average of more than one vicinal epoxy group per molecule which can be employed herein include7 for example7 the glycidyl ethers represented by the formulas ' 34,329-F -9- -```" ~3q~ 8 o~ ~
u ~

c~

c~l - ~ -u ~
U ,L~ ~ ~ ~<~

H
O
H ~ ~a 34,329-F -10-`^: `: ` ` :~ ` : `

:`

` - `' ` ` . ., . `

, ``` ~3~S488 N
0~ ~ _ U

O
=r~>

S~o U
. N
~ , o ~r ,:

/

r 34 ,;3~29-F ~

:: : ~ : : : - : -:

~: , : : , :: -:
:

~ 31~;4~3~

wherein A, R', and n are as hereinbe~ore defined; each A' is independently a divalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 6, pre~erably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a ~ \~ J
p group; p has a value of from zero to 10, preferably from zero to 3; each R" is independently hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; n' has a value of from zero to 30, preferably from zero to 5; and n" has a value of from 0.001 to 6, preferably from 0001 to 3.
Particularly suitable polyepoxides which can be employed herein include, for example, the diglycidyl ethers of resorcinol, bisphenol A, 3,3',5,5'-tetrabromobisphenol A, the triglycidyl ether of tri~(hydroxyphenyl) methane, the polyglycidyl ether of a phenolformaldehyde condensation product (novolac), the polyglycidyl ether of a dicyclopentadiene and phanol condensation product and the like. The polyepoxides can be used either alone or in combination.
The aforementioned polyepoxides represented by 3 ~ormulas (VIII), (IX), (X), and (XI) can be prepared by reaction of a diphenol or polyphenol with an epihalo-hydrin and a basic acting material. Said reaction generally involves two distinct steps: couplin~
reaction of the epihalohydrin and diphenol or polyphenol to provide a halohydrin intermediate and ; dehydrohalogenation reaction of the halohydrin : ~ -~ 34,329-F -12-: ::: : :

.
..

~t~

intermediate to provide the glycidyl ether product.
Suitable catalysts and reaction conditions for preparing polyepoxides are described in the Handbook of Epoxy Resins by Lee and Neville, McGraw-Hill (1967)-.
Suitable aromatic polycyanates which can be employed herein include, for example, those represented - by the formulas ~.

:

~ 35 .
34,329-F -13-:
: ~ :

: ' ~3~

(XII) N-C-O ~ O-C-N
(Z)4 (XIII) NsC-O ~ ~)n ~ ~ ~ O-CsN

(Z)4 (Z)4 (Z) m / O-C-N \

(XIV) N3C-O ~ A' ~ A' ~ O-C--N
(Z)4 ~ (Z)3 / (Z)4 n"
:: :
R:' (Z)l~ I (Z~
(XV) N=C-O ~ I - ~ O-C--N

(Z)4 ~ ~ O-CsN

v,:
: : wherein each Z i9 independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to 4 carbon : atoms, chlorine, bromine, or a -O-C3N group; m has a : value of fro~ zero to 100, pre~erably from zero to 10 and A, A', R', n, and n" are as hereinbefore defined.

34,329-F -14- :

, ,~
.
. .
:

:L3~S4~

Suitable aromatic polycyanates represented by formulas (XII), (XIII), (XIV) and (XV) include, for example, bis-phenol A dicyanate, the dicyanates of 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl oxide, resorcinol, 4,4'-thio-diphenol, 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenol, 3,3',5,5'~tetrabromo-bisphenol A, 2,2',6,6'-tetrabromobisphenol A, 3-phenyl bisphenol A, 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl, 2,2'-dihydrcxybi-phenyl, 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxydiphenyl methane, 2,2',6,6'-tetramethyl-3,3'~5,5'-tetrabromobisphenol A, 3,3'-dimethoxybisphenol A, the tetracyanate of 2,2'4,4'-tetrahydroxydiphenylmethane, N-C-0 ~ 0-C-0 ~ 0-C-0 ~ 0-CaN

2~--C-O ~ ~ ¦ ~ O-CaN

the tricyanate of tris(hydroxyphenyl)methane, the polycyanate of a phenolformaldehyde condensation product (novolac), the polycyanate of a dicyclopenta-:~ diene and phenol condensation product, and the like.
The aromatic polycyanates may be used either alone or in any combination.
..
The aromatic polycyanates can be prepared by reacting a stoichiometric quantity or slight stoichio-metric excess (up to 20 percent excess) of a cyanogen halide with an aromatic polyphenol in the presence of a stoichiometric quantity of a base.
.
:~

34,329 F ~-15-~:
, .~

, ' :

3~

Suitable aromatic polyphenols include, for example, those represented by the formulas :(XVI) HO ~ OH
(M)4 (XVII) HO ~ (A)n ~ (A) = OH
(M)4 (M)4 (M)4 m / OH

(XVIII) HO ~ A.' ~ A ~ OH
:(M)4 \ (M)3 /n" (M)4 (M)4 R' (M)4 (XIX) HO - ~ C ~ OH

(M)4 ~ = ~ OH

:: 35 , ~ ~ : : :
~::
34, ~29 -F - 1 6 -~ ~ :
:

- - .

.
.

,~ . . .
~ ~ :' . ~ ' `, .

1 L~5 48 8 wherein A, A', R', n, n" and m are as hereinbefore defined, and each M is independently a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having ~rom 1 to 4 carbon atoms, chlorine, bromine, a phenyl group or a hydroxyl group.

Suitable cyanogen halides inclùde cyanogen bromide and cyanogen chloride. Alternately, the method of Martin and Bauer described in 0 Volume 61, pp. 35-68 (1983) and published by John Wiley and Sons can be used to generate the required cyanogen halide in situ from sodium cyanide and a halogen such as chlorine or bromine.
Suitable bases include hoth inorganic bases and tertiary amines such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, triethylamine and mixtures thereo~. Most preferred as the base is triethylamine.
Suitable solvents include water, acetone~
chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones, and the like. Most preferred solvents are acetone and methylene chloride.
Reaction temperatures of from -40 to 60C are operable with temperatures of -20 to 25C being preferred.
Suitable polymaleimides which can be employed herein include, for example, those represented by the formulas 34,329~F -17-~3~

(XX) ~\ ~ -Q-N

(XXI) (XXII) ~ N ~ N N
O I O / o I O ~ O I O

CH~ ~ CH

: / m1 wherein R and:R1 are as hereinbefore defined; Q is a divalent hydrocarbyl group having from 2 to 12 carbon 30~ atoms:and ml has a value of 0.001 to 10; z1 is a direct bond, a divalent hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, -S~ S-S~

::35:

34,329-F : -18 ~: , :: : :
: ::

: . - . - .
.. , : . :
: . :
, ~3~;i;4~

o o o o ,. .. .. ..
-0-, -S-, -S-, -C- or -O~C-0- O
O
Typical polymaleimides represented by formulas XX, XXI and XXII include, N,N'-ethylenebismaleimide, N,N'-ethylenebis(2-methylmaleimide), N,N'-hexamethylenebismaleimide, N,N'-(oxydi-p-phenylene)bismaleimide, N,N'-(methylenedi-p-~ phenylene)bismaleimide, N,N'-(methylenedi-p-phenylene)bis(2-methylmaleimide), N,N'-(thiodi-p-phenylene)bism~leimide, N,N'-(sulfonyldi-m-phenylene)-bismaleimide, N,N'-(isopropylidenedi-p-phenylene)bis-maleimide, polymethylene polyphenylene polymaleimidesand the like. The polymaleimides may be used either alone or in any combination.
The polymaleimides can be prepared by reacting a stoichiometrio quantity of a maleic anhydride per amine group of a polyamine in the presence of a suitable sol~ent.
Suitable maleic anhydrides include those previously delineated herein.
~;~ Suitable polyamines which can be employed to prepare the polymaleimides include, for example, those represented by the formu1as ; 30 ~: :
`

34~329-F -19-: : :

- ~

~3l~

(XXIII) H2N-Q-NH2 (XXIV) H2N - ~ z1 ~ NH2 ; 15 wherein Q, z1 and m1 are as hereinbefore defined.
.

Suitable polyamines include 1,4-diaminobutane, dodecyl diamine, methylene dianiline, diaminodiphenyl ether, 2-methyl-4-ethyl-1,8-diaminooctane, aniline-formaldehyde condensation products, and mixturesthereof.
, Suitable solvents include aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, M ? N-dimethylformamide and the like. Most pre~erredsolvents are N,N-dimethylformamide, chloroform and toluene. The polymaleamic;acid resulting from reaction of a maleic anhydride and a poIyamine may be isolated then dehydrated to the desired polymaleimide.
Alternately, the reaction may be performed in a single continuous step. Detailed procedures for preparing :
polymaleimides can be found in U.S. 2,444,536 and U.S.
2,46~2,835.

~ :: :
:
; ~ 34~329-F ~ -20-~: :
,.".. ~,,~. . ,. . : . . i .

., :

-:~ : . ' :

5~

Suitable polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated materials which can be employed herein include those represented by the formula (XXVI) (Ql) ~ (Q2)wl wherein each Q1 is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a vinyl group, an allyl group, chlorine or bromine; each Q2 is independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having ~rom 1 to 4 carbon atoms; y1 is : 20 R
-C-C-R1 or -C--C=CH wherein eaoh R, R1 and R is independently.hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group having ~: ~ : 25 from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and w and w1 are each : positive integers, the sum of which is 5.
Typically ethylenically unsaturated compounds :: represented by ~ormula XXVI include, for example, 3 ~tyrene, alpha-methylstyrene, chlorostyrene, bromostyrene, t-butylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, p-methoxystyrene, divinylbenzene, propylstyrene9 chloro-: alpha--methylstyrene, m-methylstyrene, o-methylstyrene, allylbenzene, methallylbenzene, p-allylstyrene, : diallylbenzene, and mixtures thereof.
:

~ 34,329-F - -21-:

~, ' ' -~3~5~

Equally preferred as the polymerizable ethylen-ically unsaturated material which can be employed include herein the acrylate esters represented by the formula ll l (XXVII) R3-o-C-C~CH2 wherein R3 is a hydrocarbyl group having from 2 to 25 carbon atoms and may be branched, cyclic or polycyclic and R is hydrogen or a methyl group.
Typical acrylate esters represented by formula XXVII include ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, n-butyl methacrylate 9 sec-butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, n-dodecyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acryIate, methyl cyclohexyl acrylate, norbornyl acrylate, dicyclopentadiene acrylate, methyl dicyclopentadiene acrylate, and mixtures thereof.
Although less preferred, any other of the known polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated compounds can be employed herein either alone or in any combination.
Typical of these compounds are acrylonitrile, diallyl-phthalate, vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, vinyl acetate, vinyl naphthalene, the poly(ethoxy)acrylate of dicyclopentadiene, and mixtures thereof.
Compositions which comprise at least one thermosettable compound which simultaneously contains both a maleimide group and a cyanate group (Formulas I, II) may be cured (polymerized) by heating from 50 to 350C or more, preferably by heating from 70 to 200C
and optionally in the presence of 0.001 to 5 percent by weight of a suitable cyclization catalyst. Operable 34,329-F -22- --:

.

.

cyclization catalysts include those taught by U.S.
Patent Nos. 3,694,410 and 4,094,852. Most preferred cyclization catalysts are cobalt naphthenate an~ cobalt octoate. The quantity depends upon the particular cyclization catalyst, cure time 9 cure temperature and structure of the specific compound being cured.
Prepolymerization or B-staging of the composi-tions can be accomplished by using lower temperatures and/or shorter curing times. Curing of the thus formed prepolymerized or B-staged resin can then be completed at a later time or immediately following prepolymeriza-tion or B-staging by increasing the temperature and/or curing timeO
The cured (polymerized) products prepared from at least one thermosettable compound which simul-taneously contain both a maleimide group and a cyanate group can posses a complex variety of curing structures including the cyanate group homopolymerization structure :
N~
0~0 N ~ ~

, ~

the maleimide group homopolymerization structure ~:
:
~ 35 : ::::: ;
.
34,329-F -23 .

H H H H
' ' ' C--C - C C

~ N ~ ~ N ~

and cyanate group and maleimide group copolymerization structures such a3, ~or example :0 H "
- 0-C ~ \ j \N -:20 ~ C ~ '' H o --O

H
C \ C / ~ N
. - N
C - C ~ / C-H
: ::30 : //
; 0/ H H ~ ~ CoO

~: ~ O
~, ~
::35~

34,329-F -24-., ~ - ., . ., : , : ' :

~ 3~ 8 Compositions which comprise at least one thermosettable compound which simultaneously contzins both a maleimide group and a cyanate group (Formulas I, II) and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an aromatic polycyanate, (Formulas XII, XIII, XIV, XV), a polymaleimide (Formulas XX, XXI, XXII), a polyepoxide (Formulas VIII, IX, X, XI) or a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated material (Formulas XXVI, XXVII) may be cured (copolymerized) by heating from 5Q to 350C or more, preferably from 70 to 200C and, optionally, in the presence of 0.001 to 5 percent o~ a suitable cyclization catalyst and, optionally, 0.001 to 3 percent of a suitable free radical forming catalyst~
Suitable cyclization catalysts include those previously delineated herein while suitable free radical forming catalysts include the organic peroxides, hydroperoxides, azo compounds and diazo compounds. Most preferred free radical forming catalysts include t-butyl peroxybenzoate, azo-bisiosbutyronitrile, dicumylperoxide and di-t-butylperoxide. The quantity depends upon the particular free radical forming catalyst, cure temperature, cure time and the particular compounds being copoIymerized.
Prepolymerization or B-staging of the composi-tions can be accomplished as was previously described.
The cured (copolymerized) products possess acomplex variety of curing structures which depend, in part, upon the amounts and types of compounds being copolymerized, cure time, cure tempèrature, presence or absence of a cyclization catalyst ? presence or absence 34,329-F -25- -of a free radical forming catalyst and other known variables.
Compositions whic~ contain at least one thermosettable compound which simultaneously contains both a maleimide group and a cyanate group (`Formulas I, II) and either an aromatic polycyanate (Formulas XII, XIII, XIV, XV) or a polymaleimide (Formulas XX, XXI, XXII) or both can copolymerize to produce the aforementioned curing structures delineatèd for thermosettable compounds which simultaneously contain both a maleimide group and a cyanate. group. It should be noted, however, that the relative mole ratio of cyanate groups to maleimide groups can influence the amounts of the various curing structures in the cured product. For example, a large excess o~ cyanate : groups, provided by using an aromatic polycyanate in the copolymerizable composition, increases the amount of triaæine curing structure in the cured product.
' Compositions which contain at least one thermosettable compound which simultaneously contains ~
~ both a maleimide group and a cyanate group (Formulas I, :: 25 II) and a polyepoxide (Formulas VIII, IX, X, XI) ~ pos~ess complex curing structures including those :~ derived from copolymerization reaction of the cyanate ~: group and the glycidyl ether `:~

:
I ~
; : group (-0-CH2-C-CH2).
: R"

~:: 34,329-F -26- -~;3~

Compositions whîch contain at least one thermosettable compound which simultaneously contains both a malei~ide group and a cyanate group (Formulas I, I~) and a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated material (Formulas XXVI, XXVII) car, possess curing structures derived from copolymerization reaction of the maleimide-group and the polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated group, from copolymerization reaction of the maleimide group and the cyanate group, as well as from copolymerization reaction of the cyanate group and the polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated group.
Additionally present may be curing structures derived from homopolymerization of the polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups, from homopolymerization of the maleimide groups, as well as from homopolymerization of the cyanate groups.
The terms homopolymerization and copolymeriza-tion are also meant to include both dimerization andoligomerization.
The compositions which comprise at least one thermosettable compound which simultaneously contains both a maleimide group and a cyanate group (Formulas I, II) and at least one compound from the group consisting of an aromatic polycyanate (Formulas XII, XIII, XIV, XV), a polymaleimide (Formulas XX, XXI, XXII), a poly-epoxide (For~ulas VIII, IX, X, XI) or a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated material (Formulas XXVI,XXVII) may be copolymerized either simultaneously or in stages.
In a preferred process of the present invention, a thermosettable compound which simultaneously contains both a maIeimide group and a , . .

34,329-F -27- -, ", , cyanate group (Formulas I, II) and a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated material are first copolymerized in the presence of 0.001 to 2 percent of a suitable free radical forming catalyst and at a suitable reaction temperature while in solution in an aromatic polycyanate (Formulas XII, XIII, XIV, XV).
Operable free radical forming catalysts are as hereinbefore describedO Suitable reaction temperatures are from 65C to 125C. The compound which simultaneously contains both a maleimide group and a cyanate group and the polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated material may first be mixed to form a solution which is then added to the polycyanate.
Alternately, the polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated material may be added to a solution of the compound which simultaneously contains both a maleimide group and a c~anate group and the polycyanate. The product resulting from this copolymerization is a copolymer of the polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated ~aterial with the maleimide groups of the compound which simultaneously contains both a maleimide group and a cyanate group dissolved in or mixed with a polycyanate. This product may be cured (homopolymerized) as previously described herein or copolymerized, for example, with a polyepoxide, as previously described herein.
As a specific example, copolymerization of 3 styrene and 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-phenyl cyanate in the presence of a free radical forming catalyst while in solution in bisphenol A
; dicyanate provides a copolymer of the following structure dissolved in or mixed with the bisphenol A
dicyanate:

:
~ 34,329-F -28-~3~

H H H H
~ C C - C C I
S C~

N-C-0 ~

Depending on the amounts of the styrene and 3-(2,5-: dihydro-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl cyanate used, signi~icant amounts of homopolymer of either of the - aforementioned compounds may also be present.
In another preferred process of the present ~: invention, a thermosettable compound which 20: simultaneously contains both a maleimide group and a : :~ cyanate group (Formulas I, II):and a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated material are copolymeri7.ed in the presence of 0.001 to 3 percent of a suitable ~ree ~radical forming catalyst and at a~suitable reaction ~: : 25 temperature optionally:in the presence of an inert ~ ~ ~ solvent. The product resulting f:rom this : ~: copolymerization is a copolymer of the ethylenically Z ~ :unsaturated material with the maleimide groups of the compound which~simultaneously contains both a maleimide 30: group and a cyanate group. This product may be cured (homopolymerized) as previously described herein or copolymer~ized,~ for example, with a polycyanate and/or a polyepoxide, as previously descrlbed herein.
: In those instances where R' is chlorine or : ~ bromine ~Formulas I, II, VIII, IX, X, XI, XV), Z is :
:
: ::; : :
:~ : 34,329-F -29-:,: ~ , ~

`:
:. .

-3o-chlorine or bromine (Formulas XII, XIII, XIV, XV) and/or Q1 is chlorine or bromine (Formula XXVI) the halogen(s) are incorporated into the copolymers by the polymerization of monomer(s) containing said group(s).
Furthermore, the halogen groups can be incorporated into the copolymers in a specific location within the polymer structure. As a specific example, copolymerization of 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl cyanate, bisphenol A dicyanate and chlorostyrene provide a copolymer wherein 21 is chlorine and Q1 is specifically present only on the styrene aromatic rings within the polymer chains. Said halogen containing copolymers are useful as fire retardant polymers.
I~ desired, the compositions can contain fillers, pigments, dyes, reinforcing materials, other additives and the like.
The compositions of the present invention are useful in the preparation of castings, structural or electrical laminates or composites, coatings, and the like.
Laminates or composites can be prepared from the compositions of the present invention employing any facing and/or reinforcing materials such as9 for example, metallic sheets, woven or mat materials, such as fiberglass, graphite, asbestos, aramids, carbon combinations thereof and the like.
The following examples are illus~rative of the invention but are not to be construed as to limiting the scope thereof in any manner.

34,329-F ~3-"~" ~j. ... .

~ 3~

A. Synthesis of a Phenolic Functional Maleimide A 54.57 gram portion of m-aminophenol (0.50 mole) and 650 milliliters of acetic acid were added to a reactor and maintained under a nitrogen atmosphere with stirring. The stirred solution was maintained at 25C, then 49.03 grams of maleic anhydride (0.50 mole) dissolved in 100 milliliters of acetic acid was added to the reactor and heating to 110C commenced. The 110C reaction temperature was maintained for 14 hours then the product was dried under vacuum by rotary evaporation at 120C for 30 minutes to a dark brown solid~ The crude product was extracted with two 250 milliliter portions of o-dichlorobenzene at 120C. The combined extracts were maintained at 2C for 24 hours then the light yellow orange colored crystalline product was recovered by filtration and dried under vacuum at 60C for 24 hours to provide 35.0 grams of N-(3-hydroxyphenyl) maleimide. Infrared spectrophotometric analysis of a film sample of the product confirmed the product structure.
~ r ~ B. Preparation of 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol-yl)Phen~l cyanate A 34.05 gram portion of N-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-maleimide (0.18 mole), 20.02 grams of cyanogen bromide 3 (0.189 mole) and 300 milliliters of acetone were added to a reactor and maintained under a nitrogen atmosphere with stirring. The stirred solution was cooled to -10C
then 18.31 grams of triethylamine (0.1809 mole) was added to the reactor over a fifteen minute period and so as to maintain the reaction temperature at -5 to 34,329-F ~31-.,.~

-4C. After completion o~ the triethylamine addition, the reactor was maintained at -5 to -3C for an additional thirty minutes, followed by addition of the reactor contents to 1500 milliliters of deionized water. After five minutes, the water and product mixture was multiplynextracted with three 100 milliliter volumes of methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride extract was washed with 500 milliliters of 0.05 percent aqueous hydrochloric acid followed by washing with 500 milliliters of deionized water then drying over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The dry methylene chloride extract was filtered and solvent removed by rotary evaporation under vacuum for 60 minutes at 60C. 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH-pyrrol-1--yl)phenyl cyanate (34.25 grams) was recovered in 88.9 percent yield as a light tan colored powder. Infrared spectrophotometric analysis of a film sample of the product confirmed the product structure (disappearance of phenolic hydroxyl absorbance, appearance of cyanate absorbance at 2232 and 2274 cm~1, maintenance of ~ maleimide carbonyl absorbance at 1714 cm~1).
:; :
C. Mass Spectroscopic Anal~sis of 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5--dioxo-1H-pyrrol-1-yl!phenyl cyanate 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-phenyl cyanate~from B above was analyzed by mass spectroscopy using a Finnigan 4500 MS and direct probe 30~introduction of the sample. Sample ions were observed at the ambient temperature (150G) of the ion source.
The moleoular ion observed at m/z 214 confirmed the product structure.
~ ;

::
~ 34,329-F -32-' ~" 3~ ~ L~

A. Preparation of 4~ (4-aminoQhenyl)-l-methyleth~l ?
phenol A mixture of 134.0 grams (1.0 mole) of p-iso-propenylphenol and 186.0 grams (2.0 moles) of aniline was stirred and heated to 150C. To the mixture was added 5.0 grams of a solution obtained by adding 1.28 grams of 10% hydrochloric acid to 93 grams of aniline and stirring the mixture well. The reaction was carried out for 3.0 hours at the 150C reaction temperature.
The reaction product was cooled to 120C then 350 milliliters of toluene was added. The product was then cooled to 25C and the solid precipitated product was recovered by ~iltration. The crude product was slurried into 350 milliliters of methanol and heated to a reflux then maintained for 15 minutes. After cooling, the product was recovered by filtration and dried under vacuum to yield 4-(1-(4-aminophenyl)-1-methylethyl)phenol as a white powder.
,, B. Synthesis of a Phenolic_Functional Maleimide A 45.46 gram portion of 4-(1-(4-aminophenyl)-1-methylethyl)phenol (0.20 mole) and 500 milliliters of acetic acid were added to a reactor and maintained under a nitrogen atmosphere with stirring. The stirred solution was maintained at 25C, then 19.61 grams of 3 maleic anhydride (0.20 mole) dissolved in 100 milliliters of acetic acid was added to the reactor and heating to a reflux commenced. The 126C reflux temperature was maintained for 15 hours, then the product was dried under vacuum by rotary evaporation at 100C for 60 minutes. The crude product was dissolved 34,329-F -33-~: :
::

.

in 250 milliliters uf o-dichlorobenzene at 120C and then cooled to 25C. The light yellow colored solution was decanted away from a brown colored oil layer and dried under vacuum by rotary evaporation at 100C for 60 minutes to provide 31.4 grams of 4~ (4-(2,5-dihy.dro-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl)-1--methylethyl)phenol as a bright yellow colored powder. Infrared spectrophotometric analysis of a film sample of the product confirmed the product structure.
C~ PreRaration of 4-(1-~4-(2,5-dih~dro-2,5 dioxo-1H--pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl)-1-methylethyl)phenyl cyanate A 21.70 gram portion o~ 4~ (4-(2,5-dihydro-2,5~dioxo-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl)-1-methylethyl)phenol (0~1037 mole), 11.53 grams of cyanogen bromide (0.1089 mole) and 250 milliliters of acetone were added to a reactor and maintained under a nitrogen atmosphere with stirring. The stirred solution was cooled to -5C then 10.55 grams oP triethylamine (0.1043 mole) was added to the reactor over a eight minute period and so as to maintain the reaction temperature at -5 to -3C~. A~ter completion of the triethylamine addition, the reactor was maintained at -5 to -3C for an additional 37 minutes, followed by addition of the reactor contents to 1500 milliliters of deionized water. After 5 minutes, the water and product mixture was multiply extracted with three 100 mi-lliliter volumes of methylene ohloride. The combined methylene chloride extract was washed with 500 milliliters of 0.05 percent aqueous hydrochloric acid followed by washing with 500 milliliters of deionized water then drying over anhydrous sodium ~sul~ate. The dry methylene chloride extract was filtered and solvent removed by rotary :
~ evaporation under vacuum for 30 minutes at 90C. 4-(1-~: ~- ::
34,32~-F ~ -34-~: .
~ ~ , ~' '' ~

~ ~ 3~

(4-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol l-yl)phenyl)-l-methylethyl)pheny-l cyanate (22.2 grams) was recovered in 91.4 percent yield as a light amber colored oil.
Infrared spectrophotometric analysis of a film sample of the product confirmed the product structure (disappearance of phenolic hydroxyl absorbance7 appearance of cyanate absorbance at 2242 and 2271 cm~1, maintenance of maleimide carbonyl absorbance at 1722 cm~l)O
D Preparation o~ Bisphenol A Dic~ ate A 456.60 gram portion of 4,4'-isopropylidene diphenol (2.00 moles), 444.91 grams of cyanogen bromide (4.20 moles) and 1,100 milliliters of acetone were added to a reactor and maintained under a nitrogen atmosphere with stirring. The stirred solution was aooled to -5C, then 406.82 grams oP triethylamine (4.02 moles) was added to the reactor over a 60 minute period and so as to maintain the reaction temperature at -5 to -3C. After completion of the triethylamine addition, the reactor was maintained at -5 to -3C for an additional twenty-five minutes followed by addition of the reactor contents to 1.5 gallons (5.685 1) of deionized water. After 5 minutes, the water and product mixture was multiply extracted with three 500 milliliter volumes of methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride extract was washed with 500 milliliters of 0.05 percent by weight aqueous hydrochloric acid ~ollowed by washing with 500 ~ milliliters of deionized water, then drying over ; anhydrous sodium sul~ate. The dry methylene chloride extract was filtered and solvent removed by rotary evaporation under vacuum for 60 minutes at 100C.
; Bisphenol A dicyanate (545~8 grams) was recovered in : ~ :
: : ~:
34,~29-F -35-. :
.' . : " ' - : ' 98.1 percent yield as a light tan colored, crystalline solid. Infrared spectrophotometric analysis of a film sample of the product confirmed the product structure (disappearance of phenolic hydroxyl absorbance, appearance of cyanate absorbance).
E. __Preparation and Copol~merization of 4~ (4--(2,5-dih~dro-2,5-dioxo-lH-e,yrrol-l-yl)phenyl)--1-methylethyl)phenyl c~nate and Bisphenol A
Dicyanate Solution A 22.2 gram portion of 4~ (4-(2,5-dihydro-2,5wdioxo-lH-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl-1-methylethyl)-phenyl cyanate from C above and 88.8 grams of bisphenol A
dicyanate from D above were combined and heated to 100C
with stirring to form a solution. The solution was cooled to 50C, then 0.11 gram of cobalt naphthenate (6.0 percent active) was mixed in. This solution was reheated to 100C, filtered, then poured into a 1/8 inch (o.3 cm) mold made from a pair of glass plates and then placed in an oven and maintained at 125C for 2 hours, 177C ~or 4 hours, 200C for 4 hours, then 250C for 2 hours. The transparent, light amber colored, clear, unfilled casting was demolded and used to prepare test pieces for tensile and flexural strength, flexural modulus, percent elongation and average Barcol hardness (934-1 scale determinations). Mechanical properties of tensile and flexural test pieces were determined using an Instron machine with standard test methods (ASTM D-638 and D-790~. The results are reported in Table I.
COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENT A
Homopo~ on of Bisphenol A Dicyanate .

- 34,329-F -36-.

A 200.0 gram portion of bisphenol A dicyanate prepared using the method of Example 2-D was heated to 100C to form a solution, cooled to 50C, then 0.20 gram of cobalt naphthenate (6.0 percent active) was added.
This solution was reheated to 100C, filtered, then poured into a 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) mold and cured using the method o~ Example 2-E. The transparent, light amber colored, clear, unfilled casting was demolded and used to prepare test pieces which were tested using the method o~ Example 2-E. The results are reported in Table I.
TABLE I
Comparative ~xam~ E
ExDeriment A
~arcol Hardness 49 48 Tensile Strength, psi/kPa 13,590/93,699 13,080/90,184 Elongation, & 3 .12 3 . 26 Flexural Strength, 22,348/154,085 19,176~132,215 psi/kPa Flexural Modulus, 571,000/3,936,906 555,000/3,826,590 psi~kPa :25 ~ .

Co~olymerization of 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate and ~:~ 3 3-(295-dih~dro-2,5-dioxo-1H-p~rrol-1-vl)phen~l cyanate in a Bi~phenol A Dicyanate Solution A 175.0 gram (81.28 percent by weight, pbw) portion of bisphenol A dicyanate prepared using the : method of Example 2-D and a 8.0 gram (3.72 pbw) portion of 3-~2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl 34,329-F ~37~

:~ :

.
:

- ~3~

cyanate prepared using the method of Example I-B were added to a reactor and maintained under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reactor contents were heated to a 110C
solution then stirring commenced and dropwise addition of 32.29 grams (15.0 pbw) of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate and 0O43 gram of azobisisobutyronitrile as a solution commenced and was completed over a fifteen minute period. After an additional 80 minutes of reaction at the 110C reaotion temperature, the product was recovered as a slightly hazy, light amber colored solution. A portion (0.2 grams) of the copoly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate and 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH--pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl cyanate) in bisphenol A dicyanate solution was analyzed by gel permeation chromatography using polystyrene standards. The weight average molecular weight of the 2-ethylhexyl acrylate and 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH-pyrrol-l-yl)phenyl cyanate copolymer portion of the solution was 11,789 and the polydispersity ratio was 8098.

A. _Copol~_rization of 2-Ethylhexyl Acrvlate and 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH-pyrrol-l-yl)phenyl cyanate in a Bi~phenol A Dic~anate Solution A 180.0 gram (80 percent by weight, pbw) portion of bisphenol A dicyanate prepared using the method of Example 2-D and an 11.25 gram (5 pbw) portion ; ~ of 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl cyanate prepared using the method of Example 1-B were added to a reactor and maintained under a nitrogen atmosphere The reactor contents were heated to a 110C
solution. Then stirring commenced and dropwise addition of 33.75 grams (15 pbw) of 2-ethylhexyl :

34,329-F -38-`` ~ 3 acrylate ~nd 0.45 gram of azobisisobutyronitrile as a solution commenced over a 35 minute period. After an additional 120 minutes of reaction at the 110C reaction temperature, the product was recovered as a hazy, light amber colored solution.
B. Polymerization of Copoly(2-ethvlhexyl_acrylate and 3-(2,5-dih~dro-2,5-dioxo-lH-~rrol-1-yl)phenyl cyanate) in Bisphenol A DicJy nate Solution A 210.0 gram portion of copoly(2-eth~lhexyl acrylate and 3~(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl cyanate) in bisphenol A dicyanate from A
above was heated to 50C, then 0.21 gram of cobalt naphthenate (6.0 percent active) was added. This solution was heated to 100~C, filtered, then poured i-nto a 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) mold and cured using the method of Example 2-E. The opaque, light amber colored, unfilled casting was demolded and used to prepare test pieces which were tested using the method of Example 2-E. A
pair of heat distortion temperature test pieces were also prepared from the casting and heat distortion temperature was determined using an Aminco Piastic Deflection Tester (American Instrument Co.) with standard methods (ASTM D-648 modified). The results ~ ~ are reported in Table II.
: . :

: ::

; ~35 .~ .
34,329-F -39-;: :
, ~ .: . :
;

':

,a ~ 3~

TABLE II
Barcol Hardness 36 Heat Distortion Temperature, ~F/C 455/235 Tensile Strength psi,kPa 10,525/72,568 Elongation, % 4.49 Flexural Strength, psi/kPa 17,516/120,769 Flexural Modulus, psi/kPa 422,000/2,909,587 Polymerization of 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-1H-p~rrol-yl)phenyl cyanate; Bisphenol A Dicyanate and Styrene SOlUtlon A 9.25 gram portion of 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5 -dioxo-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl cyanate (4.15 pbw) prepared using the method of Example 1-B; 168.75 grams of bisphenol A dicyanate (75.67 pbw) prepared using the method of Example 2-D; and 45.0 grams of styrene (20.18 pbw) were combined and heated to 100C with stirring to form a solution. The solution was cooled to 60~C, then 0.22 gram o~ cobalt naphthenate (6.0 percent active) 3 was mixed in. This solution was reheated to 100CC, filtered, then poured into a 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) mold and cured using the method o~ Example 2-E. The trans~arent, light amber colored,~clear, unfilled casting was demolded and used to prepare test pieces ~ which were evaluated using the method of Example 2-E.
- ~ A pair of heat distortion temperature test pieces were ~ 34,3Z9-F -40_ ~ .
. .

3~

also prepared and tested using the method of Example 4-Bo The results are reported in Table IIIo TABLE III
Barcol Hardness 51 Heat Distortion Temperature, 379.9/193.3 F/C
Tensile Strength, psi/kPa 129909/89,005 Elongation, % 2.81 Flexural Strength, psi/kPa 18,476/127,388 Flexural Modulus, psi/kPa 522,200/3,600,465 Homopolvmerization of 3-(295~dihydro-2,5-dioxo-lH--pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl cyanate A portion (1.0 gram) of 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-: dioxo-1H-pyrrol~1-yl)phenyl cyanate from Example 1-B, 0.0001 gram of cobalt naphthenate (6.0 percent active) and 3.0 grams of acetone were thoroughly mixed to form a solution. The solution was devolatilized and then cured using the method of Example 2-E. A portion (9.54 : milligrams) of the resulting transparent, light amber colored film was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis (`TGA), Weight loss was recorded as a function of temperature at a 10C per minute rate of increase in a ; stream of nitrogen:flowing at 35 cubic centimeters per : : minute. As a comparative experiment, a portion (9.80 ~3 m1lligrams) of the homopolymerized bisphenol A
: : dicyanate of Comparative Experiment A was also analyzed ~: : by TGA. The resuIts are reported in Table IV.

~ 35 34,329-F -41-~'` ' '" "" '.
:
: :

~3a~$9~

Table IV.
Weiqht Loss Sa~npl e Desiqnation l00C 300C 350C 400C 450C 500C 700C
Exampl~ 6 0 1.0 1.2 1.726.2 32 4905 Compara t ive Experiment A0.2 1.5 2.0 3.63û.5 49 62.2 Sets of four flexural strength test pieces prepared from the castings of Examples 2-E, 4-B, 5 and Comparative Experiment A were weighed, then immersed in deionized water contained in individual jars and main-tained at 92C. The test pieces were weighed at the indicated intervals and the percent weight gain : 20 calculated as follows: 100 ~(exposed weight - initial weight)/initial weight]. An average of the percent : weight gain was then calculated. After a total of 94 hours of exposure to the 92C deionized water, the ~: 25: flexural strength, flexural modulus and average Barcol hardness were determined using the method of Example 2-E. The results are reported in Table V.

~: 30:

:: :
: 34,329-F -42- .

::

~3~

o r~l a~ o J N Irl N
` CO r~
~ r~
V ~1 ~I t~
(~I E ~ ~ O O
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E Q r~ N O O
O x U l~ ~ ~, et~ N ~1 00 ~ ~
117 ~D + ~ ~ N N t`i r ~
0 ~ o r-7 1~ al o u~ r~
~`I N
a) .-1 ~I t`l '?
~1 u~ 1` Q o E I` ~ o o "' ~ cn el~ N u:~
~1 ~ N N 1~ 1 0 _I + ~ O ~ 0 U~ ~O +
r- Ir~
u~ r-m r N O
:- C:~ ~ O U~
IYI N O N N
u~ S) ~ I~ N
X r` Il'~ _I N _I N 10 11-1 N .

: o ~r li3 O ~
N ` ` ~n N
11~
~ ~ `~
0: D O O
X N 1~ ~ r~ N ~ 0~ I N
N r l I 11~ ~D + er ~ I ~i ~i N N

~:

.~
O O O O
: : aJ :~ al : u~ ~11 ~ X X X' X
9~ ~ V ~
O O O O O
U~ ~ :1$ ~ V Q) a 3 U~
--I ~ 'O J~ ~ ~1 ~ ~ I ~1 ~ V ~
11~ P~ .~ 1 0 1- ~
- :1 ~C ~ O O :~ V V o o I ~ O U ~ ,C
:e ~ ~ 4 ~ ~ 1-~
4 rl .r~ C4 r~ r C X I C X 0 h N

3 4, 3 2:9-F -4 3 -:, ~, , ~, !

''~

- i ~3~

COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENT B
A clear, unfilled 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) casting of a bismaleimide--triazine resin (BT 2600 Resin, Mitsu-bishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.) was prepared using the method of Example 2-E with the exception that cobalt acetoacetonate catalyst was used to provide.131 ppm cobalt and curing was completed at 175C ~or 1 hour and 225C for 2 hours. Flexural strength and flexural modulus of test pieces prepared from the transparent, amber colored casting were evaluated using the method of Example 2-E. A second set of flexural strength test pieces were prepared and immersed in 92C deionized water then evaluated using the method of Example 7.
The results are reported in Table VI and may be compared with the results reported in Example 7.
TABLE VI
Flexural Strength, psi/kPa ; initial 16,200/111,696 : exposed 13,130/90,529 ; percent change -18.95 25 Flexural Modulus, psi/kPa initial 673,000/4,640,171 exposed 760,000/5,240,015 : percent change +12.93 : Barcol Hardness initial 60 exposed 56 3 percent change 6.67 : Percent Weight Gain after 24 hours of exposure 1.31 ~ after 48 hours of exposure 1.66 : a~ter 72 hours of:exposure 1.87 ; after 94 hours of exposure 2.04 : ~ 34,329~F _44 :::

Claims (13)

1. A composition comprising at least one thermosettable compound which contains a compound represented by the formula (I) or (II) wherein each R and R1 is independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; each R' is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a halogen atom; A is a divalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, -O- -?-, -S-, -S-S-, -?-, -?- or -O-?-O-; and n has a value of zero or 1.

2. A composition of Claim 1 wherein each R' is indepen-dently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a halogen atom; and when A is present and is a divalent hydrocarbyl group, it has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

3. A composition of Claim 2 wherein said thermosettable compound is 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl cyanate or 4-(1-(4-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl)-1-methylethyl)phenyl cyanate.

4. The product resulting from polymerizing a composi-tion of any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. A composition which comprises (A) at least one thermosettable compound which contains simultaneously in the same molecule only one maleimide or substituted maleimide group which groups are represented by the formula wherein each R and R1 is independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and only one cyanate group and (B) at least one of (1) at least one aromatic polycyanate;
(2) at least one polymaleimide;
(3) at least one material having an average of more than one vicinal epoxide group per molecule;
(4) at least one polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated material; or (5) a mixture of any two or more of components 1-4 in any combination;
wherein component (A) comprises from 1 to 99 percent by weight of the combined weight of components (A) and (B).

6. A composition of Claim 5 wherein (i) component (A) is represented by the formulas (I) (II) wherein each R and R1 is independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; each R1 is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a halogen atom; A is a divalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, -O-, -?- , -S- , -S-S- , -?-, -?- or -O-?-O-;

and n has a value of zero or 1 (ii) component (B-1) is represented by the following formulas (XII) (XIII) (XVI) (XV) 34,329-F -48-wherein each A is independently a divalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, -O-, -C-, S-, -S-S-, -?-,-?- or -O-?-O; n has a value of zero or 1; each A' is independently a divalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a group;

R' is hydrogen 7 a hydrocarbyl or hydrocar-byloxy group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a halogen atom; each Z is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, chlorine, bromine or a -O-C?N group; m has a value of from zero to 100; n has a value of zero or 1; n" has a value of from 0.001 to 6; and p has a value from zero to 10;
(iii) component (B-2) is represented by the following formulas 34,329-F -49-(XX) (XXI) (XXII) wherein Q is a divalent hydrocarbyl group having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms; each R and R1 is independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; each R' is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl 34,329-F -50-or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a halogen atom; Z1 is a direct bond, a divalent hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, -S-, -S-S-, -O-, -?-, -?-, -? or -O-?-O- ; and m1 has a value of from 0.001 to 10;
(iv) component (B-3) is represented by the following formulas 34,329-F -51- 34,329-F -52- 34,329-F -53-wherein each A is independently a divalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, -O-, -?-, -S-, -S-S-, -?- , -?- or -O-?-O-; each A' is independently a divalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a group; each R' is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a halogen atom; each R" is independently hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; n has a value of zero or 1; n' has a value of from zero to 30; n" has a value of from 0.001 to 6; and p has a value from zero to 10;
(v) component (B-4) is represented by the following formulas 34,329-F -54-(XXVI) (XXVII) wherein R3 is a hydrocarbyl group having from 2 to 25 carbon atoms and may be branched, cyclic or polycyclic; R4 is hydrogen or a methyl group; each Q1 is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a vinyl group, an allyl group, chlorine or bromine; each Q2 is independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Y1 is or wherein each R, R1 and R2 is independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; w and w1 are each positive integers, the sum of which is 5; and 34,329-F -55-(vi) component (A) comprises from 1 to 75 percent by weight of the combined weight of components (A) and (B).

7. A composition of claim 6 comprising component (A) and at least one of components (B-2), (B-3) and (B-4).

8. A composition of claim 6 comprising component (A) and component (B-1).

9. A composition of claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein component (A) comprises from about 5 to about 50 percent by weight of the combined weight of components (A) and (B).

10. A composition of claim 7 wherein A is present and is a divalent hydrocarbyl group, it has from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; Al is independently a divalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; where R' is a hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy group it has from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; n' has a value from zero to about 5; n" has a value from 0.01 to about 3; and p has a value from zero to about 3.

11. A composition of claim 6 wherein (i) component (B-1) is bisphenol A dicyanate or the polycyanate of a dicyclopentadiene and phenol condensation product;

(ii) component (B-2) is N,N'-(methylenedi-p-phenylene) bismaleimide;
(iii) component (B-3) is a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A; and (iv) component (B-4) is styrene or 2-ethylhexyl-acrylate.

12. A composition of claim 10 wherein component (A) is 3-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl cyanate, or 4-(1-(4-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl)-1-methylethyl) phenyl cyanate.

13. The product resulting from copolymerizing a composi-tion of any one of claims 5 to 8 and 10 to 12.