Synthesis and Properties of a New Polyesterimide from a Forest Product

Abstract

Polyesterimide offers a class of resin which combines the advantage of high temperature stability with ease of process-ability. Gum rosin, the exudate of pine trees, has been developed as the raw material for preparation of polyesterimide. Abietic acid of rosin reacts readily with maleic anhydride to form the Diels-Alder adduct, which reacts with p-amino benzoic acid to produce a dicarboxylic acid containing an internal imide group. The dicarboxylic acid reacts with diethylene glycol under melt polycondensation at higher temperature (260–300°C)to produce polyesterimide. The polymer is found to be soluble in highly polar solvents. The polymer is amorphous and of low molecular weight. Thermal stability of the polymer has been characterized, and the polymer was found to be thermostable.