3,3′‐Bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazoles) Featuring the Fluorodinitromethyl and Trinitromethyl Groups

Here we report on the preparation of two hydrogen atom free 3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazole) derivatives. 5,5′‐Bis(fluorodinitromethyl)‐3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazole) was synthesised by fluorination of diammonium 5,5′‐bis(dinitromethanide)‐3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazole). For our previously reported analogue 5,5′‐bis(trinitromethyl)‐3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazole), a new synthetic route starting from new 3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazolyl)‐5,5′‐diacetic acid was developed. In this course also hitherto unknown 5,5′‐dimethyl‐3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazole) was isolated. The compounds were characterised by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, IR and Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis as well as mass spectrometry. X‐ray diffraction studies were performed and the crystal structures for the 5,5'‐dimethyl and 5,5'‐(fluorodinitromethyl) derivatives are reported. The energetic 5,5'‐(fluorodinitromethyl) and 5,5'‐(trinitromethyl) compounds do not contain any hydrogen atoms and show remarkable high densities. Furthermore, the thermal stabilities and sensitivities were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and standardised impact and friction tests. The heats of formation were calculated by the atomisation method based on CBS‐4M enthalpies. With these values and the room‐temperature X‐ray densities, several detonation and propulsion parameters, such as the detonation velocity and pressure as well as the specific impulse of mixtures with aluminium, were computed using the EXPLO5 code.     

Synthesis and Characterization of 3,3′‐Bis(Dinitromethyl)‐5,5′‐Azo‐1H‐1,2,4‐Triazole

The synthesis of 3,3′‐bis(dinitromethyl)‐5,5′‐azo‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 5 ) using the readily available starting material 2‐(5‐amino‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl)acetic acid ( 1 ) is described. All compounds were characterized by means of NMR, IR, and Raman spectroscopy. The energetic compound 5 was additionally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and DSC measurements. The sensitivities towards impact, friction and electrical discharge were determined. In addition, detonation parameters (e.g. heat of explosion, detonation velocity) of the target compound were computed using the EXPLO5 code based on the calculated (CBS‐4M) heat of formation and X‐ray density.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Thermal Behavior of a Novel Insensitive Energetic Cocrystal Composed of 3,3′‐Bis(1,2,4‐oxadiazole)‐5,5′‐dione and 4‐Amino‐1,2,4‐triazole

A novel insensitive energetic cocrystal consisting of 3,3′‐bis(1,2,4‐oxadiazole)‐5,5′‐dione and 4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole in a 1:2 molar ratio was prepared and characterized. The structure of this cocrystal was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structure of the cocrystal is a monoclinic system with P1 space group. Properties of the cocrystal studied included thermal decomposition and detonation performance. This cocrystal has a crystal density of 1.689 g · cm^–3 at 173 K and good detonation performance (D = 6940 m · s^–1, P = 20.9 GPa). Moreover, measured impact and friction sensitivities (IS > 40 J, FS > 360 N) show that it can be classified as an insensitive energetic material. Its thermodynamic properties indicate that it has moderate thermal stability with a sharp exothermic peak (244 °C, 5 K · min^–1) and a high critical temperature of thermal explosion (523 K). In view of the observations above, it may serve as a promising alternative to known explosives such as TNT.     

Synthesis and Promising Properties of a New Family of High‐Nitrogen Compounds: Polyazido‐ and Polyamino‐Substituted N,N′‐Azo‐1,2,4‐triazoles

A new family of high‐nitrogen compounds, that is, polyazido‐ and polyamino‐substituted N,N′‐azo‐1,2,4‐triazoles, were synthesized in a safe and convenient manner and fully characterized. The structures of 3,3′,5,5′‐tetra(azido)‐4,4′‐azo‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 15 ) and 3,3′,5,5′‐tetra(amino)‐4,4′‐azo‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 23 ) were also confirmed by X‐ray diffraction. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed to determine their thermal stability. Their heats of formation and density, which were calculated by using Gaussian 03, were used to determine the detonation performances of the related compounds (EXPLO 5.05). The heats of formation of the polyazido compounds were also derived by using an additive method. Compound 15 has the highest heat of formation (6933 kJ kg^?1) reported so far for energetic compounds and a detonation performance that is comparable to that of octahydro‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocine (HMX), while compound 23 has a decomposition temperature of up to 290 °C.     

Energetic Materials Based on 5,5′‐Diamino‐4,4′‐dinitramino‐3,3′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole

A simple and straightforward synthesis of 5,5′‐diamino‐4,4′‐dinitramino‐3,3′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole by the selective nitration of 4,4′,5,5′‐tetraamino‐3,3′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole is presented. The interaction of the amino and nitramino groups improves the energetic properties of this functionalized bitriazole. For a deeper investigation of these properties, various nitrogen‐rich derivatives were synthesized. The new compounds were investigated and characterized by spectroscopy (¹H and ¹³C NMR, IR, Raman), elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, differential thermal analysis (DTA), X‐ray analysis, and impact and friction sensitivities (IS, FS). X‐ray analyses were performed and deliver insight into structural characteristics with which the stability of the compounds can be explained. The standard enthalpies of formation were calculated for all compounds at the CBS‐4M level of theory, revealing highly positive heats of formation. The energetic performance of the new molecules was predicted with the EXPLO5 V6.02 computer. A small‐scale shock reactivity test (SSRT) and a toxicity test gave a first impression of the performance and toxicity of selective compounds.     

Potassium 4,4′‐Bis(dinitromethyl)‐3,3′‐azofurazanate: A Highly Energetic 3D Metal–Organic Framework as a Promising Primary Explosive

Environmentally acceptable alternatives to toxic lead‐based primary explosives are becoming increasingly important for energetic materials. In this study, potassium 4,4′‐bis(dinitromethyl)‐3,3′‐azofurazanate, comprising two dinitromethyl groups and an azofurazan moiety, was synthesized and isolated as a new energetic 3D metal–organic framework (MOF). Several attractive properties, including a density of 2.039 g cm^?3, a decomposition temperature of 229 °C, a detonation velocity of 8138 m s^?1, a detonation pressure of 30.1 GPa, an impact sensitivity of 2 J, and friction sensitivity of 20 N make 4 a good candidate as a green primary explosive.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Bis(triaminoguanidinium) 5,5′‐Dinitrimino‐3,3′‐azo‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazolate – A Novel Insensitive Energetic Material

The synthesis of 5,5′‐diamino‐3,3′‐azo‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 3 ) by reaction of 5‐acetylamino‐3‐amino‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 2 ) with potassium permanganate is described. The application of the very straightforward and efficient acetyl protection of 3,5‐diamino‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole allows selective reactions of the remaining free amino group to form the azo‐functionality. Compound 3 is used as starting material for the synthesis of 5,5′‐dinitrimino‐3,3′‐azo‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 4 ), which subsequently reacted with organic bases (ammonia, hydrazine, guanidine, aminoguanidine, triaminoguanidine) to form the corresponding nitrogen‐rich triazolate salts ( 5 – 9 ). All substances were fully characterized by IR and Raman as well as multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and differential scanning calorimetry. Selected compounds were additionally characterized by low temperature single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction measurements. The heats of formation of 4 – 9 were calculated by the CBS‐4M method to be 647.7 ( 4 ), 401.2 ( 5 ), 700.4 ( 6 ), 398.4 ( 7 ), 676.5 ( 8 ), and 1089.2 ( 9 ) kJ · mol^–1. With these values as well as the experimentally determined densities several detonation parameters were calculated using both computer codes EXPLO5.03 and EXPLO5.04. In addition, the sensitivities of 5 – 9 were determined by the BAM drophammer and friction tester as well as a small scale electrical discharge device.     

Potassium 1,1′‐Dinitramino‐5,5′‐bistetrazolate: A Primary Explosive with Fast Detonation and High Initiation Power

Adequate primary explosives such as lead azide mostly contain toxic ingredients, which have to be replaced. A new candidate that shows high potential, potassium 1,1′‐dinitramino‐5,5′‐bistetrazolate (K₂DNABT), was synthesized by a sophisticated synthetic procedure based on dimethylcarbonate and glyoxal. It was intensively characterized for its chemical (X‐ray diffraction, EA, NMR and vibrational spectroscopy) and physico‐chemical properties (sensitivity towards impact, friction, and electrostatic, DSC). The obtained primary explosive combines good thermal stability with the desired mechanical stability. Owing to its high heat of formation (326 kJ mol^?1) and density (2.11 g cm^?3), impressive values for its detonation velocity (8330 m s^?1) and pressure (311 kbar) were computed. Its superior calculated performance output was successfully confirmed and demonstrated by different convenient energetic test methods.     

Energetic Salts Based on Monoanions of N,N‐Bis(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)amine and 5,5′‐Bis(tetrazole)

High‐density energetic salts that contain nitrogen‐rich cations and the 5‐(tetrazol‐5‐ylamino)tetrazolate (HBTA^?) or the 5‐(tetrazol‐5‐yl)tetrazolate (HBT^?) anion were readily synthesized by the metathesis reactions of sulfate salts with barium compounds, such as bis[5‐(tetrazol‐5‐ylamino)tetrazolate] (Ba(HBTA)₂), barium iminobis(5‐tetrazolate) (BaBTA), or barium 5,5′‐bis(tetrazolate) (BaBT) in aqueous solution. All salts were fully characterized by IR spectroscopy, multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N) NMR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, density, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and impact sensitivity. Ba(HBTA)₂ ? 4 H₂O crystallizes in the triclinic space group P$\bar 1$ , as determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, with a density of 2.177 g cm^?3. The densities of the other organic energetic salts range between 1.55 and 1.75 g cm^?3 as measured by a gas pycnometer. The detonation pressure (P) values calculated for these salts range from 19.4 to 33.6 GPa, and the detonation velocities (ν_D) range from 7677 to 9487 m s^?1, which make them competitive energetic materials. Solid‐state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy was used as an effective technique to determine the structure of the products that were obtained from the metathesis reactions of biguanidinium sulfate with barium iminobis(5‐tetrazolate) (BaBTA). Thus, the structure was determined as an HBTA salt by the comparison of its solid‐state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy with those of ammonium 5‐(tetrazol‐5‐ylamino)tetrazolate (AHBTA) and diammonium iminobis(5‐tetrazolate) (A₂BTA).     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of 2,10‐dichloro‐6‐substituted‐4,8‐dinitro‐12H‐dibenzo[d,g][1,3,2]dioxaphosphocin 6‐oxides/sulfides

Novel 2,10‐dichloro‐6‐substituted‐4,8‐dinitro‐12H‐dibenzo[d,g][1,3,2]dioxaphosphocin 6‐oxides ( 4a–h ) were synthesized by reacting 5,5′‐dichloro‐3,3′‐dinitro‐2,2′‐dihydroxydiphenylmethane ( 2 ) with different aryl phosphorodichloridates ( 3a–g ) or bis(2‐chloroethyl)phosphoramidic dichloride ( 3h ) in the presence of triethylamine at 55–60°C, and the compounds 4i–l were prepared by reacting the 2,6,10‐trichloro‐4,8‐dinitro‐12H‐dibenzo[d,g][1,3,2]dioxaphosphocin 6‐sulfide ( 5 ) in situ with substituted phenols and thiophenol 5 was prepared by condensing 2 with thiophosphoryl chloride. IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR, and mass spectra supported all the proposed structures. Several title compounds exhibited significant activity in the assays against the bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli and fungi Curvularia lunata and Aspergillus niger. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 12:10–15, 2001     

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     

5,5′‐Hydrazinebistetrazole: An Oxidation‐stable Nitrogen‐rich Compound and Starting Material for the Synthesis of 5,5′‐Azobistetrazolates

All 5,5′‐hydrazinebistetrazoles reported in the literature are sensitive to oxidation and react with atmospheric oxygen to yield the corresponding 5,5′‐azobistetrazolates on time. Herewith, we report on the synthesis of the free acid 5,5′‐hydrazinebistetrazole (HBT) which showed to be stable on air for extended periods of time. The compound was fully characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods and its X‐ray structure was determined by diffraction techniques. Besides, we determined its explosive properties by BAM methods and calculated its heat of formation (+414 kJ mol^?1), detonation velocity (8523 m s^?1) and detonation pressure (27.7 GPa). HBT proved to be very safe to handle (impact sensitivity: >30 J, friction sensitivity: ～108 N) and was used as a starting material for the synthesis of some already reported 5,5′‐azobistetrazolates: NH₄⁺, NH₂NH₃⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺.     

Energetic N,N′‐Ethylene‐Bridged Bis(nitropyrazoles): Diversified Functionalities and Properties

A new class of N,N′‐ethylene‐bridged bis(nitropyrazoles) was synthesized and fully characterized. The highly efficient formation of the N,N′‐ethylene bridge was accomplished using dibromoethane and ammonium or potassium pyrazolate. Further functional‐group transformations of diaminobis(pyrazole) and dichlorobis(pyrazole) gave rise to diversified derivatives, including dinitramino‐, diazido‐ and hexanitrobis(pyrazole). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffractions were obtained for hexanitro and diazido derivatives to illustrate the structural characteristics. Heats of formation and detonation performance were calculated by using Gaussian 03 and EXPLO5 v6.01 programs, respectively. Because of the different functionalized groups, the impact and friction sensitivities of these new compounds range from insensitive to sensitive. Among them, the hexanitro derivative displays the most promising overall energetic properties (density (ρ)=1.84 g cm^?3; decomposition temperature (T_d)=250 °C; detonation pressure (P)=34.1 GPa; detonation velocity (v_D)=8759 m s^?1; impact sensitivity (IS)=25 J; friction sensitivity (FS)=160 N), which is competitive with those of 1,3,5‐trinitrotriazacyclohexane (ρ=1.80 g cm^?3; T_d=205 °C; P=35.0 GPa; v_D=8762 m s^?1; IS=7 J; FS=120 N).     

Syntheses and Promising Properties of Dense Energetic 5,5′‐Dinitramino‐3,3′‐azo‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole and Its Salts

A planar energetic molecule with high density, 5,5′‐dinitramino‐3,3′‐azo‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole ( 4 ), was obtained by the nitration of 5,5′‐diamino‐3,3′‐azo‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole using 100 % nitric acid. In addition, selected nitrogen‐rich salts were prepared. Of them, the neutral compound 4 and its hydroxylammonium salt, 6 , were further confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Physicochemical and energetic properties including density, thermal stability, and sensitivity were investigated. The energetic performance from the calculated heats of formation and experimental densities indicates that many of them have potential applications as energetic materials.     

Functionalized 3,3′,5,5′‐Tetraaryl‐1,1′‐Biphenyls: Novel Platforms for Molecular Receptors

This paper describes the development of novel aromatic platforms for supramolecular construction. By the Suzuki cross‐coupling protocol, a variety of functionalized m‐terphenyl derivatives were prepared (Schemes 1–4). Macrolactamization of bis(ammonium salt) (S,S)‐ 6 with bis(acyl halide) 7 afforded the macrocyclic receptor (S,S)‐ 2 (Scheme 1), which was shown by ¹H‐NMR titration studies to form ‘nesting' complexes of moderate stability (K_a between 130 and 290 M ^?1, 300 K) with octyl glucosides 13 – 15 (Fig. 2) in the noncompetitive solvent CDCl₃. Suzuki cross‐coupling starting from 3,3′,5,5′‐tetrabromo‐1,1′‐biphenyl provided access to a novel series of extended aromatic platforms (Scheme 5) for cleft‐type (Fig. 1) and macrotricyclic receptors such as (S,S,S,S)‐ 1 . Although mass‐spectral evidence for the formation of (S,S,S,S)‐ 1 by macrolactamization between the two functionalized 3,3′,5,5′‐tetraaryl‐1,1′‐biphenyl derivatives (S,S)‐ 33 and 36 was obtained, the ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectra of purified material remained rather inconclusive with respect to both purity and constitution. The versatile access to the novel, differentially functionalized 3,3′,5,5′‐tetrabromo‐1,1′‐biphenyl platforms should ensure their wide use in future supramolecular construction.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Two One—dimensional Chain Copper Complexes [Cu（TTA）2（4,4‘’—azpy）] and [Cu（TTA）2（3,3‘’—azpy）

Two copper complexes [Cu(TTA)₂(4,4′‐azpy)] (1) and [Cu‐(TTA)₂(3,3′‐azpy)] (2) (HTTA = 1,1,1‐trifluoro‐3‐(2‐thenoyl)‐acetone, 4,4′‐azpy = 4,4′‐azobispyridine, 3,3′‐azpy = 3,3′‐azobispyridine) were synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures were determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The crystal 1 belongs to triclinic with space group P1 , a = 0.8515(2) nm, b = 0.9259(2) nm, c = 0.9468(2) nm, a = 66.126(9)°, β = 79.667(9)°, γ = 90.13(1)°, Z = 1, V = 0.6692(2) nm³, D_c = 3.425 g/cm³, γ = 2.113 mm^?1, F(000) = 694, R₁ = 0.0594, wR₂ = 0.1499. The crystal 2 belongs to monoclinic with space group P2₁/c, a = 1.0661(2) nm, b = 1.4296(3) ran, c = 1.0041(3) nm, β = 114.50(3)°, V = 1.3926(5) nm³, Z = 2, D_c = 1.646 g/ cm³, μ = 1.015 mm^?1, F(000) = 694, R₁, = 0.0535, wR₂ = 0.1113. In the crystals of complexes 1 and 2, the copper atoms have distorted octahedral symmetry. The two compounds possess very similar one‐dimensional linear chains linked through the rodlike 4,4′‐azpy ligands or 3,3′‐azpy ligands.     

Optimization of the HPLC enantioseparation of 3,3′‐dibromo‐5,5′‐disubstituted‐4,4′‐bipyridines using immobilized polysaccharide‐based chiral stationary phases

The HPLC enantioseparation of nine atropisomeric 3,3′,5,5′‐tetrasubstituted‐4,4′‐bipyridines was performed in normal and polar organic (PO) phase modes using two immobilized polysaccharide‐based chiral columns, namely, Chiralpak IA and Chiralpak IC. The separation of all racemic analytes, the effect of the chiral selector, and mobile phase (MP) composition on enantioseparation and the enantiomer elution order (EEO) were studied. The beneficial effect of nonstandard solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), dichloromethane (DCM), and methyl t‐butyl ether on enantioseparation was investigated. All selected 4,4′‐bipyridines were successfully enantioseparated on Chiralpak IA under normal or PO MPs with separation factors from 1.14 to 1.70 and resolutions from 1.3 to 6.5. Two bipyridines were enantioseparated at the multimilligram level on Chiralpak IA. Differently, Chiralpak IC was less versatile toward the considered class of compounds and only five bipyridines out of nine could be efficiently separated. In particular, on these columns, the ternary mixture n‐heptane/THF/DCM (90:5:5) as MP had a positive effect on enantioseparation. An interesting phenomenon of reversal of the EEO depending on the composition of the MP for the 3,3′‐dibromo‐5,5′‐bis‐(E)‐phenylethenyl‐4,4′‐bipyridine along with an exceptional enantioseparation for the 3,3′‐dibromo‐5,5′‐bis‐ferrocenylethynyl‐4,4′‐bipyridine (α = 8.33, R_s = 30.6) were observed on Chiralpak IC.     

Metal Salts of 3,3′‐Diamino‐4,4′‐dinitramino‐5,5′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole in Pyrotechnic Compositions

The synthesis of alkali and alkaline earth salts of 3,3′‐diamino‐4,4′‐dinitramino‐5,5′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole (H₂ANAT) is reported. The fast and convenient three steps reaction toward the target compounds does not require any organic solvents. In addition to an intensive characterization of all synthesized metal salts, the focus was on developing chlorine and nitrate‐free red‐light‐generating pyrotechnical formulations. Strontium 3,3′‐diamino‐4,4′‐dinitramino‐5,5′‐bitriazolate hexahydrate served as colorant and oxidizer in one molecule. The energetic properties of all developed pyrotechnical formulations assure safe handling and manufacturing.     

Regioselective synthesis of symmetrical pyridyl selenium compounds by bromine–magnesium exchange of bromopyridines using isopropyl magnesium chloride: X‐ray crystal structure of 2,2′,5,5′‐tetrabromo‐3,3′‐dipyridyldiselenide

2,2′‐Dipyridyl‐3,3′‐dipyridyl,5,5′‐dipyridyl‐diselenides have been synthesized by a convenient method employing non‐cryogenic conditions. Various bromopyridines (2‐Bromopyridine, 2,5‐dibromopyridines and 2,3,5‐Tribromopyridines) undergo selective monobromine–magnesium exchange to yield the corresponding pyridyl magnesium chlorides at room temperature upon treatment with ⁱPrMgCl. The resulting pyridyl magnesium chloride is quenched with elemental selenium, which upon further oxidation affords the above diselenides in good yields. The compounds prepared using this methodology have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ⁷⁷Se) and mass spectral analysis. The molecular structure of 2,2′,5,5′‐Tetrabromo‐3,3′‐dipyridyldiselenide has been established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. It exists as a dimeric form due to the non‐bonding interactions between the selenium of one pyridine moiety and the hydrogen of the other. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and properties of fluorinated polyimides from a new unsymmetrical diamine: 1,4‐(2′‐Trifluoromethyl‐4′,4′‐diaminodiphenoxy)benzene

A new aromatic, unsymmetrical ether diamine with a trifluoromethyl pendent group, 1,4‐(2′‐trifluoromethyl‐4′,4″‐diaminodiphenoxy)benzene, was successfully synthesized in three steps with hydroquinone as a starting material and polymerized with various aromatic tetracarboxylic acid dianhydrides, including 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride, 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,2′‐bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl)‐hexafluoropropane dianhydride, and pyromellitic dianhydride, via a conventional two‐step thermal or chemical imidization method to produce a series of fluorinated polyimides. The polyimides were characterized with solubility tests, viscosity measurements, IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction studies, and thermogravimetric analysis. The polyimides had inherent viscosities of 0.56–0.77 dL/g and were easily dissolved in both polar, aprotic solvents and common, low‐boiling‐point solvents. The resulting strong and flexible polyimide films exhibited excellent thermal stability, with decomposition temperatures (at 5% weight loss) above 522 °C and glass‐transition temperatures in the range of 232–272 °C. Moreover, the polymer films showed outstanding mechanical properties, with tensile strengths of 74.5–121.7 MPa, elongations at break of 6–13%, and initial moduli of 1.46–1.95 GPa, and good dielectric properties, with low dielectric constants of 1.82–2.53 at 10 MHz. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction measurements revealed that these polyimides were predominantly amorphous. These outstanding combined features ensure that the polymers are desirable candidate materials for advanced microelectronic applications. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6836–6846, 2006