Novel Non‐Coplanar and Tertbutyl‐Substituted Polyimides: Solubility,Optical, Thermal and Dielectric Properties

A novel aromatic diamine monomer bearing tertbutyl and 4‐tertbutylphenyl groups, 3,3′‐ditertbutyl‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl‐4′′‐tertbutylphenylmethane (TADBP), was prepared and characterized. A series of non‐coplanar polyimides (PIs) were synthesized via a conventional one‐step polycondensation from TADBP and various aromatic dianhydrides including pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (OPDA), 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)dipthalic anhydride (6FDA). All PIs exhibit excellent solubility in common organic solvents such as N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), chloroform (CHCl₃), tetrahydrofuran (THF), and so on. Furthermore, the obtained transparent, strong and flexible polyimide films present good thermal stability and outstanding optical properties. Their glass transition temperatures (T_gs) are in the range of 298 to 347°C, and 10% weight loss temperatures are in excess of 490°C with more than 53% char yield at 800°C in nitrogen. All the polyimides can be cast into transparent and flexible films with tensile strength of 80.5–101 MPa, elongation at break of 8.4%–10.5%, and Young's modulus of 2.3–2.8 GPa. Meanwhile, the PIs show the cutoff wavelengths of 302–356 nm, as well as low moisture absorption (0.30% –0.55%) and low dielectric constant (2.78–3.12 at 1 MHz).     

Addition polyimides. III. Thermal behavior of bismaleimides

This article describes the synthesis of N,N′-bis(3,3′-maleimidophenyl) sulfone (S) and its Michael addition products with (4,4′-diaminodiphenyl) methane (S-M), 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether (S-E), (3,3′-diaminodiphenyl) sulfone (S-DDS_m), (4,4′-diaminodiphenyl) sulfone (S-DDS_p), (3,3′,3″-tris aminophenyl) phosphine oxide (S-TAP), and 9,9-bis(p-aminophenyl) fluorene (S-B). Curing behavior of these bisimides was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. Activation energy of curing reaction was determined by using isothermal and multiple heating rate method. Thermal stability of bisimides was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. Better char yields were obtained in S-TAP resins.     

Synthesis and characterization of N‐benzoylated wholly aromatic polyamides from 4,4′‐oxydianilinobis(benzimidoyl) chloride and aromatic dicarboxylic acids

A novel type of polyamides, N‐benzoylated wholly aromatic polyamides, were synthesized by low‐temperature solution polycondensation of a new aromatic bis(imidoyl) chloride, 4,4′‐oxydianilinobis(benzimidoyl) chloride, with aromatic dicarboxylic acids, 4,4′‐oxydibenzoic acid and isophthalic acid. Compared with the conventional all aromatic polyamides and also N‐phenylated wholly aromatic polyamides, these N‐benzoylated aramides exhibit better solubility in organic solvents, lower glass transition temperatures and thermal stability.     

Preparation of silicon containing polymers. II.. Effect of structure on the thermal stability of organosilicon aramids

Two silicon-containing acid dichlorides, bis(4-chlorocarbonylphenyl)dimethylsilane and bis(4-chlorocarbonylphenyl)diphenylsilane, were synthesized and reacted with 1,3-phenylene diamine, 1,4-phenylene diamine, 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl, 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether, and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone in the preparation of 12 structurally different high molecular weight aromatic polyamides. A low-temperature interfacial polycondensation technique was used. Most of the polyamides formed tough, transparent, flexible films and were characterized by solubility, solution viscosity, infrared spectroscopy (IR), and glass transition temperature (T_g). The thermal behavior of these aramids was studied by dynamic thermogravimetry. The effect of diamine and acid dichloride structure on the aramids properties is also discussed.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Fluorinated Polyimide Derived from 3,3′‐Diisopropyl‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl‐3′′,4′′‐difluorophenylmethane

A novel aromatic diamine monomer, 3,3′‐diisopropyl‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl‐3′′,4′′‐difluorophenylmethane (PAFM), was successfully synthesized by coupling of 2‐isopropylaniline and 3,4‐difluorobenzaldehyde. The aromatic diamine was adopted to synthesize a series of fluorinated polyimides by polycondensation with various dianhydrides: pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) and 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) via the conventional one‐step method. These polyimides presented excellent solubility in common organic solvents, such as N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N‐dimethyl acetamide (DMAc), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), chloroform (CHCl₃), tetrahydrofuran (THF) and so on. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of fluorinated polyimides were in the range of 260–306°C and the temperature at 10% weight loss in the range of 474–502°C. Their films showed the cut‐off wavelengths of 330–361 nm and higher than 80% transparency in a wavelength range of 385–463 nm. Moreover, polymer films exhibited low dielectric properties in the range of 2.76–2.96 at 1 MHz, as well as prominent mechanical properties with tensile strengths of 66.7–97.4 MPa, a tensile modulus of 1.7–2.1 GPa and elongation at break of 7.2%–12.9%. The polymer films also showed outstanding hydrophobicity with the contact angle in the range of 91.2°–97.9°.     

Novel polyviologens: Photochromic redox polymers with film-forming properties

Several novel polyamides containing the N,N′-dialkyl-4,4′-dipyridinium (“viologen”) system were made by interfacial condensation of N,N′-bis(aminoalkyl)-4,4,-dipyridinium salts with di-, tri-, or tetrafunctional acid chlorides. These materials are useful redox polymers which turn deeply colored when reduced chemically or electrically, or when exposed to light.     

Synthesis and Properties of Aromatic Poly(Ether Sulfone)s and Poly(Etherketone)s Containing Naphthalene or Quinoline Units,and Methyl-Substituted Biphenyl-4,4′-Diols

Abstract

A series of poly(ether sulfone)s and poly(ether ketone)s were synthesized from combinations of 1,5- and 2,6-bis(4-fluorosulfonyl)naphthalene, 2,6-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)naphthalene, and 2,6-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)quinoline with 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbiphenyl-4,4′-diol and 2,2′,3,3′,5,5′-hexamethylbiphenyl-4,4′-diol. The polycondensations proceeded quantitatively in diphenylsulfone in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate to afford polymers with inherent viscosities between 0.40 and 1.28 dL/g measured in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or concentrated sulfuric acid. The tetramethyl- and hexamethyl-substituted aromatic polyethers exhibited good thermal stability, did not decompose below 330°C in both air and nitrogen atmospheres, and had higher glass transition temperatures than the corresponding unsubstituted polymers. The methylsubstituted poly(ether sulfone)s and poly(ether ketone)s showed good solubility in such common organic solvents as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, and 1,4-dioxane.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel aromatic polyamides from 3,4-bis(4-aminophenyl)-2,5-diphenylfuran and aromatic diacid chlorides

A new highly phenylated heterocyclic diamine, 3,4-bis(4-aminophenyl)-2,5-diphenylfuran, was synthesized in three steps from 4–-nitrodeoxybenzoin. The low temperature solution polycondensation of the diamine with various aromatic diacid chlorides afforded tetraphenylfuran-containing aromatic polyamides with inherent viscosities of 0.2–0.8 dL/g. Copolyterephthalamides were obtained from the diamine and 4,4′-oxydianiline. The polyamides were generally soluble in a wide range of solvents that included N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, pyridine, and m-cresol. Glass transition temperatures of the polyamides and copolyamides ranged from 302–342°C, and 10% weight loss was observed above 480°C in nitrogen.     

Aromatic polyamides and polyimides derived from 3,3′-diaminobiphenyl: Synthesis,characterization, and molecular simulation study

In this article a new synthesis of 3,3′-diaminobiphenyl (3,3′-DABP) is described, along with the preparation and characterization of polyamides and polyimides based on it. Reactivity of this monomer was calculated by a molecular simulation study, using ab initio quantum-mechanical methods. Terephthaloyl and isophthaloyl chloride were used for the synthesis of polyamides, while 3,3′,4,4′-biphenylenetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride were used for the synthesis of polyimides. Medium to high molecular weight polymers were attained, with inherent viscosities near or higher than 1.0 dL/g, the solubility of the 3,3′-DABP polymers was much better than that of the homologous polymers from benzidine (4,4′-DABP), the glass-transition temperatures were lower, by about 40°C, and the thermal resistance, as measured by thermogravimetry, was virtually the same. Amorphous films, made from cast polymer solutions, showed excellent mechanical properties, comparable to conventional aromatic polyamides and polyimides. Theoretical calculations demonstrated that the radius of giration, end-to-end distance and density of poly(3,3′-DABP-isophthalamide) were lower than those of poly(4,4′-DABP-isophthalamide), as a consequence of the chain folding induced in the backbone by the m-substitution in 3,3′-DABP. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 4646–4655, 1999     

Synthesis and characterization of aromatic polythiazole-amides from new aromatic diamines containing phenyl-pendant thiazole units

New aromatic diamines containing phenyl-pendant thiazole units were synthesized in three steps starting from p-nitrobenzyl phenyl ketone. Novel aromatic polyamides containing phenyl-pendant thiazole units were prepared by the low-temperature solution polyconden-sation of 1,4- (or 1.3-) bis[5-(p-aminophenyl)-4-phenyl-2-thiazolyl] benzene with various aromatic dicarboxylic acid chlorides in N,N-dimethylacetamide. High molecular weight polyamides having inherent viscosities of 0.5–3.0 dL/g were obtained quantitatively. The polythiazole-amides with m-phenylene, 4,4′-oxydiphenylene, and 4,4′-sulfonyldiphenylene units were soluble in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, and pyridine, and gave transparent flexible films by casting from the solutions. These organic solvent-soluble polyamides displayed prominent glass transition temperatures (T_g) between 257 and 325°C. On the other hand, the polythiazole-amides with p-phenylene and 4,4′-biphenylene units were insoluble in most organic solvents, and had no observed T_g. All the polythiazole-amides started to decompose at about 400°C with 10% weight loss being recorded at 450–525°C in air. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Syntheses and properties of aromatic polyamides and polyimides based on N-phenyl-3,3-bis[4-(p-aminophenoxy) phenyl] phthalimidine

N-Phenyl-3,3-Bis[4-(p-aminophenoxy)phenyl] phthalimidine ( II ) was used as a monomer with various aromatic dicarboxylic acids and tetracarboxylic dianhydrides to synthesize polyamides and polyimides, respectively. The diamine II was derived by a nucleophilic substitution of N-phenyl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) phthalimidine with p-chloronitrobenzene in the presence of K₂CO₃ and then hydro-reduced. Polyamides IV _a-g having inherent viscosities of 0.55–1.64 dL/g were prepared by the direct polycondensation of the diamine II with various aromatic diacids using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. All the aromatic polyamides were amorphous and readily soluble in various polar solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). Transparent and flexible films of these polymers could be cast from the DMAc solutions. These aromatic polyamides had glass transition temperatures in the range of 293–319°C and 10% weight loss occurred up to 480°C. The polyimides were synthesized from diamine II and various aromatic dianhydrides via the two-stage procedure that included ring-opening polyaddition in DMAc to give poly(amic acid)s, followed by thermal or chemical conversion to polyimides. Most of the aromatic polyimides obtained by chemical cyclization were found to be soluble in NMP, m-cresol, and o-chlorophenol. These polyimides showed almost no weight loss up to 500°C in air or nitrogen atmosphere. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation and characterization of aromatic polyamides based on ether-sulfone-dicarboxylic acids

Two ether-sulfone-dicarboxylic acids, 4,4′-[sulfonylbis(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)dioxy]dibenzoic acid (Me- III ) and 4,4′-[sulfonylbis(1,4-phenylene)dioxy]-dibenzoic acid ( III ), were prepared by the fluorodisplacement of 4,4′-sulfonylbis(2,6-dimethylphenol) and 4,4′-sulfonyldiphenol with p-fluorobenzonitrile, and subsequent alkaline hydrolysis of intermediate dinitriles. Using triphenyl phosphite (TPP) and pyridine as condensing agents, aromatic polyamides containing ether and sulfone links were prepared by the direct polycondensation of the dicarboxylic acids with various aromatic diamines in the N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) solution containing dissolved calcium chloride. The inherent viscosities of the resulting polymers were above 0.4 dL/g and up to 1.01 dL/g. Most of the polyamides were readily soluble in polar solvents such as NMP, N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and afforded tough and transparent films by solution-casting. Most of the polymers showed distinct glass transition on their differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves, and their glass transition temperatures (T_g) were recorded between 212–272°C. The methyl-substituted polyamides showed slightly higher T_gs than the corresponding unsubstituted ones. The results of the thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) revealed that all the polyamides showed no significant weight loss before 400°C, and the methyl-substituted polymers showed lower initial decomposition temperatures than the unsubstituted ones. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 2421–2429, 1997     

Synthesis and properties of new polyamides derived from 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy)-2,5-di-tert-butylbenzene and aromatic dicarboxylic acids

The diamine 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy)-2,5-di-tert-butylbenzene, containing symmetric, bulky di-tert-butyl substituents and a flexible ether unit, was synthesized and used to prepare a series of polyamides by the direct polycondensation with various aromatic dicarboxylic acids in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. All the polymers were obtained in quantitative yields with inherent viscosities of 0.32–1.27 dL g⁻¹. Most of these polyamides, except II _a , II _d , and II _e , showed an amorphous nature and dissolved in polar solvents and less polar solvents. Polyamides derived from 4,4′-sulfonyldibenzoic acid, 4,4′-(hexafluoro-isopropylidene)dibenzoic acid, and 5-nitroisophthalic acid were even soluble in a common organic solvent such as THF. Most polyamide films could be obtained by casting from their N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) solutions. The polyamide films had a tensile strength range of 49–78 MPa, an elongation range at break of 3–5%, and a tensile modulus range of 1.57–2.01 GPa. These polyamides had glass transition temperatures ranging between 253 and 276°C, and 10% mass loss temperatures were recorded in the range 402–466°C in nitrogen atmosphere. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1069–1074, 1998     

Synthesis and properties of poly(imide-sulfonate)s

Polycondensations of N,N′-bis(hydroxyalkyl)pyromellitic diimides, N,N′-bis(hydroxyphenyl)-pyromellitic diimides, N,N′-bis(hydroxyalkyl)-3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic diimides and N,N′-bis(hydroxyphenyl)-3,3′-4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic diimides with aromatic disulfonyl chlorides were carried out in pyridine to produce poly(imide-sulfonate)s. The resulting polymers had inherent viscosities in the range of 0.25–0.38 dL/g. These poly(imide-sulfonate)s were insoluble in common organic solvents and had relatively good thermal stability. The TGA data showed 10% weight losses at 253–365°C and residual weights at 500°C were 22–72% in nitrogen.     

Synthesis and properties of aromatic polyamides based on non-, methyl-, and phenyl-substituted 4,4′-bis(1,4-phenylenedioxy)dibenzoic acids

4,4′-(1,4-Phenylenedioxy)dibenzoic acid (3), 4,4′-(2,5-tolylenedioxy)dibenzoic acid (Me-3), and 4,4′-(2,5-biphenylenedioxy)dibenzoic acid (Ph-3) were prepared by the nucleophilic substitution reaction of p-fluorobenzonitrile with hydroquinone, methylhydroquinone, and phenylhydroquinone, respectively, followed by alkaline hydrolysis. Several aromatic polyamides having inherent viscosities of 0.66–1.34 dL/g were directly prepared by a Yamazaki phosphorylation polyamidation technique from dicarboxylic acids 3, Me-3, and Ph-3, respectively, with aromatic diamines using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. The solubility of methyl- or phenyl-substituted polyamides was remarkably enhanced when compared to that of nonsubstituted analogues. Most of the substituted polyamides revealed an amorphous nature and were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents including N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, and m-cresol. Transparent, flexible, and tough films of these polymers could be cast from the DMAc or NMP solutions. These films had tensile strength of 60–100 MPa, elongation to break of 6–11%, and tensile modulus of 1.68–2.25 GPa. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of most polyamides could be determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and were in the range of 200–232°C. Thermogravimetric analyses established that these polymers were fairly stable up to 450°C, and the 10% weight loss temperatures were recorded in the range of 458–535°C in nitrogen and 468–528°C in air atmosphere. In general, the phenyl-substituted polyamides exhibited relatively higher T_g, thermal stability, and solubility. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation of phosphorus-containing polymers—XVI. Synthesis of phosphorus-containing polyanhydride-imides

Phosphorus-containing polyanhydride-imides were synthesized from N,N-bis(4-carboxyphthalimido)-3,3′-diphenylalkylphosphine oxide, 3,3′-[N,N′-bis(4-carboxyphthalimido)]benzophenone and their mixtures in two steps via the diacetyl derivatives of the bisimide-carboxylic acids. The resulting polymers have reduced viscosities of 0.06–0.14 dl/g and are soluble in polar aprotic solvents such as DMA, DMF and DMSO, and conc. H₂SO₄ etc. They have good hydrolytic stability for moisture and water. Phosphorus-containing polymers have little heat-resistance and poor flame-retardance. The benefit of incorporating phosphorus in the polymers is small.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel aromatic polyamides from 3,4-bis(4-aminophenyl)-2,5-diphenylpyrrole and aromatic diacid chlorides

A new polymer-forming monomer, 3,4-bis(4-aminophenyl)-2,5-diphenylpyrrole, was synthesized in three steps starting from 4′-nitrodeoxybenzoin. Tetraphenylpyrrole-containing aromatic polyamides and copolyamides were prepared from the diamine with various aromatic diacid chlorides and from a mixture of the diamine and 4,4′-oxydianiline with terephthaloyl chloride, respectively. The resultant polymers had inherent viscosities in the 0.3–1.8 dL/g range and were generally soluble in various organic solvents including N,N-dimethylacetamide and m-cresol. They have glass transition temperatures in the range of 306–333°C and showed no weight loss below 380°C in both air and nitrogen atmospheres.     

Synthesis and characterization of certain aromatic azopolyamides

Two new aromatic diamines, 2,2′-dimethyl-4,4′-diaminoazobenzene [benzenamine-(3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-azobis)] and 2,2′-dichloro-4,4′-diaminoazobenzene [benzenamine-(3,3′-dichloro-4,4′-azobis)] were synthesized and their structures confirmed by IR, UV-visible, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and mass spectra. With these diamines, 16 aromatic polyamides were synthesized by both low-temperature solution and phosphorylation polycondensation methods. The polymers were characterized by viscosity, solubility, IR, UV visible, TGA, and DTA studies.     

Hydrazine‐based polyimides from isomeric bis(chlorophthalimide)s

3,3′‐Dichloro‐N,N′‐biphthalimide (3,3′‐DCBPI), 3,4′‐dichloro‐N,N′‐biphthalimide (3,4′‐DCBPI), and 4,4′‐dichloro‐N,N′‐biphthalimide (4,4′‐DCBPI) were synthesized from 3‐ or 4‐chlorophthalic anhydrides and hydrazine in glacial acetic acid. The yield of 3,3′‐DCBPI (90%) was much higher than that of 4,4′‐DCBPI (33%) because of the better stability of the intermediate, 3‐chloro‐N‐aminophthalimide, and 3,3′‐DCBPI. A series of hydrazine‐based polyimides were prepared from isomeric DCBPIs and 4,4′‐thiobisbenzenethiol (TBBT) in N,N‐dimethylacetamide in the presence of tributylamine. Inherent viscosity of these polymers was in the range of 0.51–0.69 dL/g in 1‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NMP) at 30 °C. These polyimides were soluble in 1,1,2,2‐terachloroethane, NMP, and phenols. The 5% weight‐loss temperatures (T_5%s) of the polymers were near 450 °C in N₂. Their glass‐transition temperatures (T_gs) determined by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry increased according to the order of polyimides based on 4,4′‐DCBPI, 3,4′‐DCBPI, and 3,3′‐DCBPI. The hydrolytic stability of these polymers was measured under acid, basic, and neutral conditions and the results indicated that the order was 3,3′‐DCBPI/TBBT > 3,4′‐DCBPI/TBBT > 4,4′‐DCBPI/TBBT. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4933–4940, 2007     

Synthesis and micropatterning properties of a novel base‐soluble,positive‐working,photosensitive polyimide having an o‐nitrobenzyl ether group

A novel positive‐working, photosensitive polyimide, poly[1,4‐phenyleneoxy‐1,4‐phenylene‐2,2′‐di(2‐nitrobenzyloxy)benzophenone‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxdiimide] (OPI‐Nb), developable with an aqueous base was prepared by the o‐nitrobenzylation of a polyimide, poly(1,4‐phenyleneoxy‐1,4‐phenylene‐2,2′‐dihydroxybenzophenone‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxdiimide) (OPI), derived from 2,2′‐dihydroxy‐3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (DHBA) and 4,4′‐oxydianiline, and it micropatterning properties were investigated. The o‐nitrobenzylation of OPI to OPI‐Nb was conducted with o‐nitrobenzyl bromide in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone containing Et₃N. The DHBA monomer was synthesized by exhaustive KMnO₄ oxidation of bis(2‐dimethoxy‐3,4‐dimethylphenyl)methane obtained by etherification of bis(2‐hydroxy‐3,4‐dimethylphenyl)methane with iodomethane, followed by deprotection of the methoxy groups and cyclodehydration of the obtained 2,2′‐dihydroxy‐3,3′4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid. The intermediate bis(2‐hydroxy‐3,4‐dimethylphenyl)methane was prepared by the condensation of 2,3‐dimethylphenol with paraformaldehyde. The degree of o‐nitrobenzylation was determined to be over 94 mol % from ¹H NMR absorption of benzylic CH₂ protons. The aromatic OPI was perfectly soluble in a dilute aqueous NaOH solution and tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), whereas OPI‐Nb was not even swellable in them. In the micropatterning process, OPI‐Nb showed a line‐width resolution of 0.4‐μm and a sensitivity of 5.4 J/cm² when its thin films were irradiated with 365‐nm light and developed with a 2.38% aqueous TMAH solution at room temperature for 90 s. The thickness loss of OPI‐Nb films measured after postbaking at 350 °C was in the 8–9% range. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 776–788, 2007