Comparison of the reactivity of N‐(p‐toluenesulfonyl)‐sulfinimidoyl fluorides and chlorides toward triphenylphosphine

The path of the reaction of aryl‐N‐(p‐toluenesulfonyl)‐sulfinimidoyl fluorides and triphenylphosphine is highly dependent on the order of the reactants addition. Addition of triphenylphos‐phine to aryl‐N‐(p‐toluenesulfonyl)‐sulfinimidoyl fluorides results in the formation of triphenyl(aryl‐thio)phosphonium salts of N,N′‐bis(p‐toluenesul‐fonyl)aryl‐sulfinamidines and triphenyldifluorophosphorane. By changing the reagent addition order, we obtained triphenyldifluorophosphorane, P,P,P‐triphenyl‐N‐(p‐toluenesulfonyl)‐phosphine imide, and diaryl disulfides. The outcome of the reaction aryl‐N‐(arenesulfonyl)‐sulfinimidoyl chlorides and triphenylphosphine does not depend on the order of addition of the reactants. P,P,P‐Triphenyl‐N‐(arenesulfonyl)‐phosphine imides, triphenyldichloro‐phosphorane, and diaryl disulfides were formed as a result. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:66–71, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20408     

Synthesis and characterization of some new 4,4′‐(1,4‐phenylene)dipyrimidine and 6,6′‐(1,4‐phenylene)‐di(pyridin‐2(1H)‐one) derivatives

A series of new 4,4′‐(1,4‐phenylene)dipyrimidines 5a–c, 8a–c , and 10a,b have been synthesized from the reaction of amidines 1a–c with the dienaminone 2 , bis‐chalcone 6 , or ylidenemalono‐ nitrile 9 . The reaction of malononitrile and ethyl cyanoacetate with 2 gave 6,6′‐(1,4‐phenylene)di(pyridin‐2(1H)‐ones) ( 15a,b ). The structures of the products were proved by elemental analyses, IR, MS, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:507–512, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20150     

Spiro Compounds of Tin,Selenium and Tellurium Containing 1,3,2‐Diazaelement‐[3]ferrocenophane Units

The reactions of 1,1′‐bis[Li(trimethylsilyl)amino]ferrocene ( 2a ) with selenium‐ or tellurium tetrahalides gave the 1,1′,3,3′‐tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)‐1,1′,3,3′‐tetraaza‐2‐selene‐ and 2‐tellura‐2,2′‐spirobi[3]ferrocenophanes 5 and 6 , respectively. The analogous reaction with tin dichloride afforded the corresponding 2‐stanna‐2,2′‐spirobi[3]ferrocenophane ( 9 ) rather than the expected stannylene 8 . The reaction of 2,2‐dichloro‐1,3‐bis(trimethylsilyl)‐1,3,2‐diazastanna‐[3]ferrocenophane ( 10 ) with the dilithio reagent 2b also gave the spirotin compound 9 , of which the molecular structure was determined by X‐ray analysis. The formation of the products and their solution‐state structures was deduced from multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic studies (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ²⁹Si, ⁷⁷Se, ¹²⁵Te, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy).     

Silylhydrazine und dimere N,N′‐Dilithium‐N,N′‐bis(silyl)hydrazide – Synthesen,Reaktionen, Isomerisierungen

Silylhydrazines and Dimeric N,N′‐Dilithium‐N,N′‐bis(silyl)hydrazides – Syntheses, Reactions, Isomerisations Di‐tert.‐butylchlorosilane reacts with dilithiated hydrazine in a molar ratio to give the N,N′‐bis(silyl)hydrazine, [(Me₃C)₂SiHNH]₂, ( 5 ). Isomeric tris(silyl)hydrazines, N‐difluorophenylsilyl‐N′,N′‐bis(dimethylphenylsilyl)hydrazine ( 7 ) and N‐difluorophenylsilyl‐N,N′‐bis(dimethylphenylsilyl)hydrazine ( 8 ) are formed in the reaction of N‐lithium‐N′‐N′‐bis(dimethylphenylsilyl)hydrazide and F₃SiPh. Isomeric bis(silyl)hydrazines, (Me₃C)₂SiFNHNHSiMe₂Ph ( 9 ) and (Me₃C)₂‐ SiF(PhMe₂Si)N–NH₂ ( 10 ) are the result of the reaction of di‐tert.‐butylfluorosilylhydrazine and ClSiMe₂Ph in the presence of Et₃N. Quantum chemical calculations for model compounds demonstrate the dyotropic course of the rearrangement. The monolithium derivative of 5 forms a N‐lithium‐N′,N′‐bis(silyl)hydrazide ( 11 ). The dilithium salts of 5 ( 13 ) and of the bis(tert.‐butyldiphenylsilyl)hydrazine ( 12 ) crystallize as dimers with formation of a central Li₄N₄ unit. The formation of 12 from 11 occurs via a N′ → N‐silyl group migration. Results of crystal structure analyses are reported.     

Arenesulfonyl bromides: The second universal class of functional initiators for the metal‐catalyzed living radical polymerization of methacrylates,acrylates, and styrenes

The metal‐catalyzed living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate, n‐butyl acrylate, and styrene, initiated with p‐toluenesulfonyl bromide and phenoxybenzene‐4,4′‐disulfonyl bromide and catalyzed with CuBr/2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) and various self‐regulated Cu‐based catalytic systems such as Cu₂O/bpy, Cu₂S/bpy, Cu₂Se/bpy, and Cu₂Te/bpy, is reported. Similarities and differences between the arenesulfonyl chloride and arenesulfonyl bromide initiators are discussed. The arenesulfonyl bromide initiators require reduced reaction times to produce polymers in high conversions under milder reaction conditions than the corresponding arenesulfonyl chloride initiators. At the same time, they exhibit 100% initiator efficiency and generate polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions and functional chain ends. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 319–330, 2005     

Synthesis and functionalization of Poly[5,5′‐(silylene)‐2,2′‐dithienylene]s using silyl triflate intermediates†

Treatment of 5,5′‐dilithio‐2,2′‐dithiophene with (dimethylamino)methylsily bis(triflate)‐ or α, ω‐bis(triflate)‐substituted trisilanes gave poly[5,5′‐(silylene)‐2,2′‐dithienylene]s in high yields. The amino–silyl bond was cleaved selectively by triflic acid, leading to triflate‐substituted derivatives. Conversion of these compounds with nucleophiles gave other functionalized polymers. Platinum‐catalyzed hydrosilylation reactions between silicon–vinyl and silicon–hydrogen derivatives result in polymer networks which may serve as interesting preceramic materials. The structures of the polymers were proven by NMR spectroscopy (²⁹Si, ¹³C, ¹H). Results of thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), UV spectrometry and conductivity measurements are given. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental and quantum chemical calculational studies on N‐[4‐(3‐Methyl‐3‐phenyl‐cyclobutyl)‐thiazol‐2‐yl]‐N′‐pyridin‐3ylmethylene‐hydrazine

The title molecule, N‐[4‐(3‐Methyl‐3‐phenyl‐cyclobutyl)‐thiazol‐2‐yl]‐N′‐pyridin‐3ylmethylene‐ hydrazine (C₂₀ H₂₀ N₄ S₁), was characterized by ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, IR, UV‐visible, and X‐ray determination. In addition to the molecular geometry from X‐ray experiment, the molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies and gauge including atomic orbital ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR chemical shift values of the title compound in the ground state have been calculated using the Hartree‐Fock and density functional method (B3LYP) with 6‐31G(d, p) basis set. The calculated results show that optimized geometries can well reproduce the crystal structural parameters. By using time‐dependent density functional theory method, electronic absorption spectrum of the title compound has been predicted. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Reactions of 2‐amino‐3‐cyano‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene and 2‐amino‐3‐cyano‐4,7‐diphenyl‐5‐methyl‐4H‐pyrano[2,3‐c] pyrazole with phenylisocyanate,carbon disulfide,and thiourea

2‐Amino‐3‐cyano‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene 1a or 2‐amino‐3‐cyano‐4,7‐di‐ phenyl‐5‐methyl‐4H‐pyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazole 2a reacted with phenylisocyanate in dry pyridine to give 2‐(3‐phenylureido)‐3‐cyanobenzo[b]thiophene 1b or 2‐disubstituted amino‐3‐cyanopyranopyrazole 2b derivative. However, when 1a and 2a were refluxed with carbon disulfide in 10% ethanolic sodium hydroxide solution, they afforded the thieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐2,4‐dithione derivative 5 in the former case, 2,4‐dicyano‐1,3‐bis(dithio carboxamino)cyclobuta‐1,3‐ diene 6 and pyrazolopyranopyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐ 2,4‐dithione derivative 7 in the latter one. Treatment of 2a with thiourea in refluxing ethanol in the presence of potassium carbonate gave 2,2′‐dithiobispyrimidine derivative 9 (major) in addition to pyranopyrazole derivative 10 and 2,2′‐dithiobis ethoxypyrimidine derivative 11 in minor amounts. The structures of all products were evidenced by microanalytical and spectral data. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:6–11, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20070     

Rearrangement of 2—Benzothiazolylthioacetyl hidrazide in Ethanol Solution of Potassium Hydroxide：Synthesis of s—Triazolo[3,4—b] benzothiazol—3—thiol and Its Derivatives

A novel rearrangement reaction about 2-benzothiazolylthioacetyl hydrazide (1) to produce s-triazolo[3,4-b] benzothiazol-3-thiol (3) in the presence of KOH and CS2 was described.Other way to synthesize 3 from 2-benzothiazolyl-hydrazine (2) under the same condition was compared and the Mannich reaction of compound 3 was reported too.Their structures were established by elemental analyses,IR,^1H nmr and MS spectra.     

Heterocyclic synthesis containing bridgehead nitrogen atom: Synthesis of 3‐[(2H)‐2‐oxobenzo[b]pyran‐3‐yl]‐s‐triazolo[3,4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazine and thiazole derivatives

The reaction of 2H‐2‐oxobenzo[b]pyran‐3‐hydrazide ( 2 ) with carbon disulfide in basic DMF afforded potassium thiocarbamate 3 , which readily underwent heterocyclization upon its reaction with hydrazine and/or phenacyl bromide to yield 1,2,4‐tiazole ( 4 ) and thiazole 7 derivatives, respectively. Condensation of 4 with substituted phenacyl bromide and/or chloranil gave 1,2,4‐triazole[3,4‐b]thiadiazine ( 5a,b ) and 3,10‐bis‐[2H‐2‐oxobenzo[b]pyran‐3‐yl]‐6,13‐dichloro‐bis‐1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazino[5′,6′‐b:5′,6′‐e]cyclohexa‐1,4‐diene ( 6 ), respectively. Cyclization of thiosemicarbazide 10 by refluxing it in sodium hydroxide and/or phosphoryl chloride afforded triazole 13 and thiadiazole 15 derivatives, respectively. Also, 10 reacted with phenacyl bromide in the presence of anhydrous sodium acetate to give the oxothiazolidine derivative 17 . The structure of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H NMR, and mass spectra. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 14:114–120, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10109     

Synthesis,characterization, and field‐effect transistor performance of poly[2,6‐bis(3‐tridecanoxythiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐b;4,5‐b′]dithiophene]

A new copolymer of benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene and 3,3′‐bis(tridecanoxy)‐5,5′‐bithiophene was synthesized through Stille copolymerization. The bis‐(3‐alkoxythiophene) monomer was synthesized through a silver fluoride mediated, palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling, in which bromide functional groups were preserved instead of consumed. The copolymer has been characterized and applied in field‐effect transistors, giving a hole mobility of 2 × 10^?3 cm²/Vs and an on/off ratio >10⁶, with negligible hysteresis, on standard silicon substrates. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1973–1978, 2010     

Unexpected Spiroproducts from the Reaction of N‐Benzoylglycine with Ortho‐Formylbenzoic Acids −3,5′‐Dioxo‐2′‐Phenyl‐1,3‐Dihydrospiro[Indene‐2,4′‐[1,3]Oxazol]‐1‐yl Acetates: Establishments of Their Structure

This paper describes a method of preparation of new 3,5′‐dioxo‐2′‐phenyl‐1,3‐dihydrospiro[indene‐2,4′‐[1,3]oxazol]‐1‐yl acetate and its 5‐chloro‐ and bromoderivatives as products of interaction of N‐benzoylglycine (hippuric acid) with corresponding ortho‐formylbenzoic acids. The reaction carried out in acetic anhydride media in the presence of piperidine as catalyst. The novel spirocompounds were purified by column chromatography from multicomponent reaction mixtures. The composition of the spiro‐products was confirmed by C, H, N element analysis. The structure was established by IR, MS, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR analysis including COSY ¹H‐¹³C experiments.     

Facile synthesis of 2‐alkylthio‐3‐amino‐4 H‐imidazol‐4‐ones and 2H‐imidazo[2,1‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazin‐6(7H)‐ones via N‐vinylic iminophosphorane

2‐Alkylthio‐3‐amino‐4H‐imidazol‐4‐ ones 5 were synthesized by S‐alkylation of 2‐thioxo‐3‐amino‐4‐imidazolidinones 4 , which were obtained via cyclization of isothiocyanates 2 with hydrazine hydrate. 5l–n reacted with Ph₃P, C₂Cl₆, and NEt₃ to give 2H‐imidazo[2,1‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazin‐ 6(7H)‐ones 7a–c in good yields. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:76–80, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20069     

Synthesis of 2‐Aryl‐5‐oxo‐4‐[2‐(phenylmethylidene)hydrazino]‐2,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrole‐3‐carboxylates by the Reaction between Hydrazones,Acetylenedicarboxylates, and 1‐Aryl‐N,N′‐bis(arylmethylidene)methanediamines

An efficient approach for the preparation of functionalized 2‐aryl‐2,5‐dihydro‐5‐oxo‐4‐[2‐(phenylmethylidene)hydrazino]‐1H‐pyrroles is described. The four‐component reaction between aldehydes, NH₂NH₂?H₂O, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, and 1‐aryl‐N,N′‐bis(arylmethylidene)methanediamines proceeds in EtOH under reflux in good‐to‐excellent yields (Scheme 1). The structures of 4 were corroborated spectroscopically (IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and EI‐MS, and, in the case of 4f , by X‐ray crystallography). A plausible mechanism for this type of reaction is proposed (Scheme 2).     

Coordination complexes of 2‐thienyl‐ and 2‐furyl‐mercurials

The reactions of di(2‐thienyl)mercury, 2‐thienylmercury chloride and 2‐furylmercury chloride with a variety of nitrogen‐ and phosphorus‐containing ligands have been studied. The presence of the electron‐withdrawing heteroatoms results in these mercurials being stronger acceptors than the corresponding phenylmercury compounds. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, melting points, infrared, and ¹⁹⁹Hg NMR spectroscopy. 2,9‐Dimethyl‐ and 3,4,7,8‐tetramethyl‐phenanthroline form 1:1 chelate complexes, as does 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, whereas ethylenediamine and 2,2′‐bipyridyl do not form complexes. Though non‐chelating ligands such as 2,4′‐ and 4,4′‐bipyridyl do not form complexes, bis(diphenylphosphino)methane forms 1:2 complexes in which the ligand bridges two mercury atoms. Monodentate ligands, such as triphenylphosphine, cause disproportionation of the organomercury chloride. 2‐Thienylmercury chloride forms a 4:1 complex with 4,4′‐dipyridyl disulfide in which it is believed that a molecule of the organomercurial is coordinated to both of the nitrogen and both of the sulfur atoms. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ring‐Opening and polymerization of 1‐[2′‐(heptaphenylcyclotetrasiloxanyl)ethyl]‐1,3,3,5,5‐pentamethylcyclotrisiloxane

1‐[2′‐(Heptaphenylcyclotetrasiloxanyl)ethyl]‐1,3,3,5,5‐pentamethylcyclotetrasiloxane ( II ) was prepared from 1‐[2′‐(methyldichlorosilyl)ethyl]‐1,3,3,5,5,7,7‐heptaphenylcyclotetrasiloxane ( I ) and tetramethyldisiloxane‐1,3‐diol. Acid‐catalyzed ring‐opening of II in the presence of tetramethyldisiloxane gave 1,9‐dihydrido‐5‐[2′‐(heptaphenylcyclotetrasiloxanyl)ethyl]nonamethylpentasiloxane ( III ) and 1,9‐dihydrido‐3‐[2′‐(heptaphenylcyclotetrasiloxanyl)ethyl]nonamethylpentasiloxane ( IV ). Both acid‐ and base‐catalyzed ring‐opening polymerization of II gives highly viscous, transparent polymers. The structures of I – IV and polymers were determined by UV, IR, ¹H, ¹³C, and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. In addition, molecular weights obtained by GPC and NMR end group analysis were confirmed with mass spectrometry. On the basis of ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy, the polymers appear to result exclusively from ring‐opening of the cyclotrisiloxane ring. No evidence for ring‐opening of the cyclotetrasiloxane ring was observed. Polymer properties were determined by DSC and TGA. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 137–146, 2006     

New 3,3′[2,2′‐oxy‐bis‐(oxazaborolidine)]‐ethylenes. Structural studies by NMR,X‐ray,and quantum chemistry methods

3,3′‐[2,2′‐Oxy‐bis‐(4S‐methyl, 5R‐phenyl‐1,3,2‐oxazaborolidine)]ethylene ( 4a ) and 3,3′‐[2, 2′‐oxy‐(4S‐methyl‐5R‐phenyl‐1,3,2‐oxazaborolidine)‐ (1,3,2‐benzoxazaborolidine)]ethylene ( 4b ) were synthesized by the reaction of N,N′‐bis‐[(1R,2S)‐norephedrine]oxalyl ( 3a ) or N,N′‐[((1R,2S)‐norephedrine, o‐hydroxyphenylamine]oxalyl ( 3b ) with BH₃‐THF. The molecular structure of these compounds was established by NMR and infrared spectroscopy. The molecular geometry for 4 was studied by means of theoretical methods, resulting in structures that were in total agreement with those obtained by spectroscopy data and X‐ray diffraction. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:513–519, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20151     

Evidences of some unusual behaviours of 2‐aminothiazol and 2‐aminobenzothiazol in reactions with formaldehyde and glyoxal

In contrast to the previously reported acid‐catalyzed reaction of 2‐aminothiazole with aqueous formaldehyde in water at 0‐5 °C which afforded N,N′‐bis(2‐thiazolyl)methanediamine ( 4 ), 5,5′‐methylenebis(2‐aminothiazole) ( 5 ) is obtained as the unique product under reflux conditions. Reaction of 2‐aminobenzothiazole with aqueous formaldehyde in acetonitrile at 0‐5 °C or under reflux conditions produces (2‐benzothiazolylamino)methanol ( 6 ) or N,N′‐bis(2‐benzothiazolyl)methanediamine ( 7 ), respectively. Heating monoamine 6 in acetonitrile remarkably yields the symmetric diamine 7 . While cyclocondensation of 2‐aminothiazole with aqueous glyoxal in acetonitrile gives 3,4,8,9‐tetrahydroxy‐7,10‐bis(2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐dioxa‐7,10‐diazabicyclo[4.4.0]decane ( 8 ), reaction of 2‐aminobenzothiazole with glyoxal fails to produce similar results; In the presence of aqueous formaldehyde, although the former reaction leads to the formation of 4‐hydroxy‐5‐(thiazolylamino)‐1,3‐bis(2‐thiazolyl)imidazolidine ( 9 ), utilization of 2‐aminobenzothiazole gives 4,5‐dihydroxy‐1,3‐bis(2‐benzothiazolyl)imidazolidine ( 10 ). Condensation of either 6 or 7 with aqueous glyoxal affords compound 10 . Details of the reactions will be discussed in this presentation.     

Semiconducting polymers from triphenylamine derivatives‐benzaldehyde polymers by oxidization with 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ)

4‐Tolyldiphenylamine (TDPA) and N,N′‐diphenyl‐N,N′‐bis(4‐methylphenyl)‐1,1′‐biphenyl‐4,4′‐diamine (TPD), were reacted with benzaldehyde (BA) using p‐toluenesulfonic acid as a catalyst to yield linear polymers. The polymers were reacted with 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at room temperature. ¹H‐NMR showed that all the methine protons in the residue of BA were completely removed at the mole ratio of repeating unit : DDQ, 2 : 1. The resulting polymers showed good solubility in chloroform or THF. The reacted TDPA‐BA and TPD‐BA polymers gave new UV absorption peaks at 697.0 and 722.5 nm and showed reversible redox potentials about 0.994 and 1.021 V, respectively. Direct current (d.c.) conductivity of the reacted polymers was in the range of 10^?11 S/cm, which is more than two orders higher than the unreacted polymers. The polymer showed pentad split electron spin resonance (ESR) signal, whose concentration was one in 670 or 230 repeating unit for TDPA‐BA and TPD‐BA polymers, respectively. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Organosoluble polyimides and copolyimides based on 1,1‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]‐1‐phenylethane and aromatic dianhydrides

1,1‐Bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]‐1‐phenylethane (BAPPE) was prepared through nucleophilic substitution reaction of 1,1‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1‐phenylethane and p‐chloronitrobenzene in the presence of K₂CO₃ in N,N‐dimethylformamide, followed by catalytic reduction with hydrazine and Pd/C. Novel organosoluble polyimides and copolyimides were synthesized from BAPPE and six kinds of commercial dianhydrides, including pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA, I_a ), 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA, I_b ), 3,3′,4,4′‐ biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA, I_c ), 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA, I_d ), 3,3′,4,4′‐diphenylsulfonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (DSDA, I_e ) and 4,4′‐hexafluoroisopropylidenediphthalic anhydride (6FDA, I_f ). Differing with the conventional polyimide process by thermal cyclodehydration of poly(amic acid), when polyimides were prepared by chemical cyclodehydration with N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone as used solvent, resulted polymers showed good solubility. Additional, I_a,b were mixed respectively with the rest of dianhydrides (I_c–f) and BAPPE at certain molar ratios to prepare copolyimides with arbitrary solubilities. These polyimides and copolyimides were characterized by good mechanical properties together with good thermal stability. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2082–2090, 2000