A highly heat-resistant phthalocyanine resin based on a bio-based anethole

A phthalonitrile-containing monomer derived from a plant oil (anethole) has been successfully synthesized by a facile two-step reaction in an overall yield of 84%. Upon high temperature, this monomer is converted to a cured phthalocyanine resin in the presence of a catalyst, 4,4'-bis(3-aminophenoxy)diphenyl sulfone (m-BAPS). Such a cured resin displays good thermostability including high glass transition temperature (T-g > 450 degrees C), low thermal expansion coefficient (CTE, near 62.99 ppm degrees C-1 from 25 to 400 degrees C) and high char yield (>72% at 1000 degrees C). These data are comparable to those of the most of the common phthalocyanine resins derived from the fossil resource, suggesting that the phthalonitrile-containing monomer is a suitable precursor for the preparation of the ablation-resistant materials used on the surface of the spacecrafts.

Automated summary

A phthalonitrile-containing monomer derived from a plant oil has been synthesized and converted to a cured phthalocyanine resin with good thermal stability and high char yield at high temperatures. This resin could potentially be used as ablation-resistant material on spacecraft surfaces.