Synthesis and characterization of soluble polymides from 2,5-bis(4-aminophenyl)-3,4-diphenylthiophene and aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides

2,5-Bis(4-aminophenyl)-3,4-diphenylthiophene, a polyimide-forming monomer, was prepared in three steps starting from benzyl chloride and sulfur. Novel polyimides were synthesized from the diamine and pyromellitic dianhydride or 3,3′, 4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA). Polymerization was carried out either by the usual two-step procedure that included ring-opening polyaddition giving polyamic acids, followed by cyclodehydration to polyimides, or by the direct one-pot procedure involving cyclodehydration in situ. The polyimide derived from the diamine and BTDA, especially that prepared by the one-pot procedure in m-cresol containing isoquinoline, is soluble in various organic solvents and gave a yellow, transparent, tough, and flexible film. Solubility of this polyimide varied by the preparative method and by the copolymerization with bis(4-aminophenyl) ether. All the polyimides are highly thermally stable and exhibited no appreciable decomposition up to 450°C in air and nitrogen atmospheres.