Photocycloaddition polymerization. I. Preparation and characterization of poly-N,N′-polymethylenebisdichloromaleimides†

The benzophenone-sensitized solution-phase photocycloaddition polymerization of N,N′-polymethylenebisdichloromaleimides has been investigated. It is shown that a polymer can be obtained by repeated 2π + 2π photocycloaddition process. The intrinsic viscosity of the products varies from 0.1 to 0.6 when the link between the two maleimide moieties contains more than six and simultaneously an uneven number of methylene units. The polymeric materials form transparent, flexible, noninflammable films and decompose at 310°C.