The Polymerization of Acetylene-terminated Imides Studied by Vibrational Spectroscopy

The cure of two model compound acetylene-terminated imides has been studied by both IR and Raman spectroscopy. Temperature ramped studies show that the cure of a maleimide-containing compound proceeds through simultaneous reaction of both the maleimide double bond and the acetylenic triple bond. Raman spectroscopy provides a convenient way to follow the extent of reaction via the loss of the acetylenic triple bonds. Isothermal studies show significant differences between the two compounds.