Cycloaddition approach to the curing of polyimides via precursor containing thiophene-S,S-dioxide

A new method for linear polymerization of maleimides via the Diels-Alder reaction has been developed. This method involves use of a new cross-linking agent, benzene-3,4-dimetlzylenesuccinimide, which can be generated in situ from its thiophene precursor, benzene-2,5-dihydrothiophene-3,4dicarboximide-S, S-dioxide. This new cross-linking agent is reasonably reactive, readily prepared, and stable at room temperature. A controlled molecular weight oligomer has been synthesized and applied to the polymerization to yield a highly thermal stable polyimide. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 17:648-652, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com).