Studies on copolymers of acrylonitrile with resins of furfuryl alcohol: 1. Preparation and thermal properties

Copolymers of acrylonitrile with a furfuryl alcohol resin have been prepared by a free radical reaction, and have been characterized by n.m.r. and i.r. spectroscopy. Their t.g.a. has been performed in air and in a nitrogen atmosphere, to permit the recognition of a number of stages in the weight loss process. D.s.c., also in air and in nitrogen, has identified a number of exothermic and one endothermic process in the copolymers. Solid state cross-polarization/magic angle spinning 13C n.m.r. spectroscopy and i.r. spectroscopy has been used to obtain some insight into the chemistry of the various chemical changes, which in air are completed by combustion and in nitrogen leave a carbon.