Oxidation inhibited arylcyclobutene polymers

A composition containing a polymer formed by side ring opening of an arylcyclobutene compound and an antioxidant selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formulas:

• ##STR37## wherein R is hydrogen, an electron withdrawing or electron donating group;
• and oligomers thereof;
• or
• 5) hindered amines of the formula:
• ##STR38## wherein R is hydrogen, an electron withdrawing group or an electron donating group;
• each R.sup.1 is independently, hydrogen, an electron withdrawing group or an electron donating group, with the proviso that two R.sup.1 attached to the same carbon may represent a single moiety joined to said carbon by a double bond;
• each R.sup.2 is independently, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl:
• said antioxidant being effective to inhibit oxidation.

A method for inhibiting oxidation of a polymer formed by the side ring opening of compounds containing one or more arylcyclobutene moieties by adding to the compound, a partially polymerized prepolymer of said compound or a polymer of the compound, an amount of an antioxidant sufficient to inhibit oxidation of said said polymer, said antioxidant being selected from the group consisting of:

• ##STR39## wherein R is hydrogen, an electron withdrawing or electron donating group;
• and oligomers thereof;
• or
• 5) hindered amines of the formula:
• ##STR40## wherein R is hydrogen, an electron withdrawing group or an electron donating group:
• each R.sup.1 is independently, hydrogen, an electron withdrawing group or an electron donating group, with the proviso that two R.sup.1 attached to the same carbon may represent a single moiety joined to said carbon by a double bond;
• each R.sup.2 is independently, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl.

An article containing a component which is a polymer formed by side ring opening of an arylcyclobutene moiety and an antioxidant in an amount sufficient to inhibit oxidation of the polymer, said antioxidant being selected from the group consisting of:

• ##STR41## wherein R is hydrogen, an electron withdrawing or electron donating group;
• and oligomers thereof;
• or
• 5) hindered amines of the formula:
• ##STR42## wherein R is hydrogen, an electron withdrawing group or an electron donating group:
• each R.sup.1 is independently, hydrogen, an electron withdrawing group or an electron donating group, with the proviso that two R.sup.1 attached to the same carbon may represent a single moiety joined to said carbon by a double bond:
• each R.sup.2 is independently, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl.