Preparation and epoxy curing of novel dicyclopentadiene-derived Mannich amines

Abstract

Phenol/dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) adducts were prepared from the BF3-catalyzed reaction of p-nonylphenol and dicyclopentadiene at molar ratios of 2 : 1 and 3 : 2. The phenol-terminating adducts were consequently reacted with diethylenetriamine and formaldehyde using Mannich reaction conditions. These products containing phenol, amine and tricyclodecane functionalities in the same molecule can be used as epoxy curing agents. The diethylenetriamine was add to the phenol via Mannich reaction at approximately 50% theoretical equivalent. The multiple N-H soups in amines and the O-H groups in phenols provide crosslinking sites for epoxy resins. The cured epoxy resins show improvement in tensile strength and elongation in comparison with those cured by the poly(oxypropylene) diamine (400 molecular weight) or diethylenetriamine. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.