Metal ion functional polybenzoxazine based on phenol and 2-aminopyridine

A novel Co2+ ion functional benzoxazine monomer based on phenol and 2-aminopyridine was prepared, polymerized by step-wise curing and characterized via direct pyrolysis mass spectrometry in addition to classical spectrometry techniques. Curing of neat monomer yielded a highly cross-linked polymer as a consequence of competing and consecutive reactions involving the heterocyclic ring opening followed by attack of –NCH2 groups to ortho and para positions of phenol and pyridine rings and coupling of –NCH2 groups. On the other hand, the coordination of metal ion to nitrogen atoms of the pyridyl rings inhibited the attack of –NCH2 groups to ortho and para positions of pyridine rings and eventually decreased the extent of cross-linking.