Room temperature polymer crosslinking using 1-functionalized benzocyclobutene

Abstract

Specific benzocyclobutenes serve as intramolecular or intermolecular or both intramolecular or intermolecular crosslinkers. The benzocyclobutenes can be incorporated into polymers post polymerization or can be provided as monomers that participate in homopolymerization or copolymerization with other monomer to create the polymers having benzocyclobutenes that are exploited to carry out the crosslinking. At least some of the benzocyclobutenes taught herein can be used to carry out crosslinking a ambient temperatures.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 058,309 filed on Oct. 1, 2014, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to particular benzocyclobutene (BCB) monomers. In some embodiments, this invention relates to the creation of homopolymers and copolymers of the benzocyclobutenes and, in further embodiments, to the subsequent crosslinking of the polymers through the use of a nucleophile. In some embodiments, BCB's are incorporated into a polymer post polymerization, and the BCBs are exploited to crosslink the polymer. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to new monomers, 1-acetoxy-4-vinylbenzocyclobutene and 1-acetoxy-5-vinylbenzocyclobutene, which are thermally stable under typical radical polymerization conditions. In some embodiments, the present invention further relates to a method for producing 1-acetoxy-4-v...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a new type of material called a benzocyclobutene monomer that can be used to make copolymers. These copolymers can be used to create various products such as optical components or films. The patent describes several methods for copolymerizing the monomer with other monomers, including styrene, acrylates, and methactrylates. The resultant copolymers can also be crosslinked using different nucleophiles to create more durable products. The technical effects of this patent are improved methods for creating new materials that can be used to make products with improved properties.

Problems solved by technology

Nevertheless, the high temperature required for ring opening limits their uses in many systems.

One of the drawbacks of BCBs is that they require very high temperatures (>200° C.) to undergo ring opening isomerization followed by crosslinking.

Though thermal activation of BCBs for the formation of crosslinked material has gained wide attention in the polymer field, chemical activation of BCBs has remained neglected.

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