Sustainable High-Temperature Phthalonitrile Resins Derived from Resveratrol and Dihydroresveratrol

The renewable triphenols, resveratrol and dihydroresveratrol, were used in the preparation of two new phthalonitrile resins (PN), each containing three phthalonitrile groups. These are the first reported PN resins generated from a renewable feedstock. These amorphous PN resins were characterized thoroughly by DSC, NMR spectroscopy and rheometry. The monomers exhibited excellent rheometric viscosities suitable for resin transfer molding and resin infusion molding. After complete cure, the PN polymers exhibited thermal stability to above 500 degrees C and no glass transition temperature (T-g). As a result of the highly cross-linked nature of the network, these materials exhibited a low water uptake of 1 +/- 0.2% and dielectric constant values of approximately 3.0. These results suggest that resveratrol-derived PN resins are excellent candidates for use in maritime environments and aerospace applications.