Mechanism of the curing reaction of model epoxy compounds with monuron

The ability of monuron (p-chlorophenyl-N,N-dimethylurea) to cure epoxy resins was investigated by means of hardening the mono functional model compound p-tolylglycidyl ether. The reaction products were isolated and the possible intermediates were synthesised independently for comparison. Their reactivity was tested. As analytical methods, thermo-FTIR spectroscopy, DSC and liquid–solid chromatography were applied. The results indicate that during curing monuron reacts without decomposing into free isocyanate and dimethylamine and that the polymer-forming reaction is not terminated by the well-known formation of 2-oxazolidones.