Michael addition polymerizations of trifunctional amines with divinyl sulfone

The mechanisms of the Michael addition polymerization of N-aminoethyl piperazine (AEPZ) with divinyl sulfone (DVS) were clarified based on the reactivity sequence of three different amines in AEPZ: 2(degrees) amine in piperazine ring >1 degrees amine >> 2 degrees amine formed in situ. When the feed molar ratio of DVS to AEPZ was 1:1, the polymerization of AB intermediate formed proceeded, and the linear poly(sulfone amine) containing secondary and tertiary amines in the backbones were produced. The linear structure of the product was confirmed by NMR spectra, and the molecular weights, molecular weight distribution, and properties of poly(sulfone amine)s were characterized by GPC, DSC, and TGA.