Metal Phthalocyanines as Catalysts for Curing Phthalonitrile Prepolymers

The present invention relates generally to metal phthalocyanines and more specifically to metal phthalocyanines useful as catalysts and metal interchanges sources for curing phthalonitrile prepolymers. Bis-phthalonitrile resins are known to form thermally stable polymers. Depending on the structure of the prepolymer, however, the resins may be extremely slow in curing to the polymeric state. In general, electron donating groups on the phthalonitrile ring will slow down the cure reaction. It is not always possible to increase the temperature to accelerate the cure rate because the prepolymer may volatilize or decompose before polymerizing. Further, the higher temperatures result in a less practical processing environment.