Synthesis and cure kinetics of bisoxazoline monomers during cationic ring-opening polymerization

AbstractIn this work, the synthesis and characterization of highly aromatic bisoxazoline (BOX) monomers containing diphenyl ether, furan, and thiophene backbones are presented. Preliminary investigations of the cure and reaction kinetics are performed to understand the impact of these moieties on polymerization and their glass transition temperatures. To do this, two catalysts are used, methyl triflate (MT) and dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (DBS) to explore their role in controlling the cationic ring‐opening polymerization (CROP) mechanism. Polymerization was monitored using non‐isothermal differential scanning calorimetry and characterized according to the Kissinger and Ozawa models. Kinetic modeling using the Malek and Sestak‐Berggren methods showed excellent agreement with experimental values and was used to determine reaction rate constants. The polymerization of BOX monomers in the presence of both MT and DBS is shown to be highly latent, being stable until the melting point is reached, after which reaction occurs rapidly.