Selective reactivity of aromatic amines toward 5-maleimidoisophthalic acid for preparation of polyamides bearing N-phenylmaleimide moieties

Both of the maleimide and carboxylic acid groups in 5-maleimidoisophthalic acid (MIPA) are reactive toward an amine group. The selective reaction between carboxylic acid and amine groups was successfully established and applied in preparation of polyamides (PA-MI) and copolyamides possessing maleimide pendants. The chemical structures of the polymers obtained were characterized with FTIR, 1H NMR, and elemental analysis. Some polyamides showed good solubility in organic solvents and are for further chemical modifications. Success of phosphorylation on PA-MI polymers demonstrated this kind of polyamide could be used as reactive polymers for further modification and functionalization.