Synthesis and properties of polyimidazopyrrolones

The preparation of polyimidazopyrrolones by three general synthetic methods has been presented. The effects of structure, conversion temperature, and conversion environment were determined. The polyimidazopyrrolones were shown to retain useful mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, after severe chemical treatment and after unusually high exposure to ionizing radiation. Thermogravimetric analysis of the polymers indicated the effect of structure on oxidative stability was relatively minor; furthermore, the relative stabilities of a series of eight polymers in air were not directly comparable to the order of stability in a vacuum environment.