Cyanuric acid-epichlorohydrin prepolymers

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the reaction of cyanuric acid and epichlorohydrin (ECH). SnCl4 was used as a catalyst. Several reaction conditions were tested, and the products were analyzed by means of Fourier transform infrared and 1H-NMR spectroscopy, hydroxyl group content, molar mass, elemental and thermal analysis, viscosity, and density. ECH reacted with the amine groups of the cyanuric acid ring to form lateral chains that contained chloroalkyl and hydroxyl end groups. Full substitution of the amine groups was observed in all of the synthesized products. The solvent used in the synthesis was found to be very important for the structure of the final prepolymers. When N,N-dimethylformamide was used, relatively low-molar-mass prepolymers of cyanuric acid and ECH were obtained. When solvents with low dielectric constants were used, no reaction with cyanuric acid was observed. The prepared prepolymers were thermally stable up to 160°C. At this temperature, degradation started via the lateral chains. The viscosity of the products decreased as the ECH-cyanuric acid ratio increased, whereas the density remained basically constant. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 3684-3691, 2006