Abstract
A series of bismaleimides were used to prepare polymers in an attempt to achieve materials with improved properties. Structurally different bismaleimide compounds were synthesized by the reaction between 3(4)-maleimidobenzoylchloride with various diphenols having or not substituents to the aromatic rings. Polymers based on these compounds were prepared by the Michael addition of diamine to bismaleimides. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), proton nuclear resonance (1H-NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize these materials. Keywords: bismaleimide monomers and polymers, thermal characterization