Epoxidation of bromostyrene – butadiene cotelomers

The synthesis of low-molecular-weight copolymers of bromostyrenes and butadiene and their epoxidation is discussed. The copolymers contain in the same molecule an elastomeric part, a flame-retardant part, and epoxy groups. Two epoxidation routes were studied: by an in situ generated peracid and by m-chloroperbenzoic acid. The latter is preferred, but limited to about 40% epoxidation. Epoxidation occurs mainly at the 1,4 structure of the butadiene segments. The cure of these copolymers with a tetra functional epoxy resin and diaminodiphenyl sulfone is discussed. The epoxides and their cured systems are thermally stable.