Preparation and characterization of organosoluble copolyimides based on a pair of commercial aromatic dianhydride and one aromatic diamine, 1,2-bis(4-aminophenoxy)-4-tert-butylbenzene, series

 A series of copolyimides with high molecular weights, excellent mechanical properties, heat-resistant properties, and good solubilities in organic solvents were synthesized from six kinds of commercial dianhydrides and 1,2-bis(4-aminophenoxy)-4-tert-butylbenzene. Monomers for synthesizing insoluble polyimides and monomers for synthesizing soluble polyimides were used to synthesize semialternating copolyimides with arbitrary solubilities. Fifteen kinds of soluble copolyimides were synthesized through chemical or thermal cyclodehydration. These copolyimides were found to be easily soluble as well as able to be processed by casting from solutions such as N-methyl-2- pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, m-cresol, and tetrahydrofuran. The easily dissolved characteristics of this series of copolyimides stemmed from the tert-butyl group, the ortho-linked aromatic unit, and the ether group within 4-tert-butylbenzene. Besides, when the dianhydride molecules used contained organosoluble groups and were mixed at varying molar ratios, the solubilities in organic solvents could be greatly enhanced. The copolyimides could improve the processability of polymers, while maintaining or increasing their excellent mechanical properties and heat-resistant properties. Received: 21 July 2000 Accepted: 13 December 2000