Selection of a precursor of a monofunctional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane reacted with aromatic diamines

With the aim of selecting a precursor of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) reacted with aromatic diamines for its incorporation into an epoxy network, to generate an organic–inorganic hybrid material containing POSS, a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (glycidylisobutyl–POSS) was reacted with the diamines 4,4′‐methylenebis(2,6‐diethylaniline) (MDEA), 4,4′‐diaminediphenylmethane (DDM), and 4,4′‐(1,3‐phenylenediisopropylidene)bisaniline (BSA), at 160°C and different times, in a proportion rich in amines. The distribution of species in the reaction was followed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). From the experimental data obtained the selected precursor was POSS/BSA reacted at 160°C for 20 or 30 min, to ensure that all the POSS was reacted, that there was a maximum of the monosubstituted amines, and that there was no degradation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1576–1583, 2004