Preparation and properties of new photosensitive polyimides from bis(4-aminophenyl)tetramethyldisilane and various aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides

New photosensitive polymides containing photosensitive disilane unit were synthesised from 1,2-bis(4-aminophenyl)tetramethyldisilane and various aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides by the usual two-step procedure that includes ring-opening polyaddition to yield the precursor polyamic acids, followed by cyclodehydration giving the respective polyimides. The polymaic acids had inherent viscosities between 0.63 and 0.85 dL/g depending on the tetracarboxylic dianhydride used. Excepting the polyimide obtained from pyromellitic dianhydride, all other polyimides were soluble in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, m-cresol, and pyridine. While the polyimide containing diphenyl sulfone unit was amorphous, the other polyimides were semi-crystalline polymers based on their x-ray diffractograms. The polyimides had glass transition temperatures between 235 and 304°C. They were thermally stable up to 380°C in both air and nitrogen atmospheres. All the polyamic acids showed a drastic decrease in the inherent viscosity upon UV light irradiation, implying the inherent photosensitivity of the polymers containing the disilane moiety.     

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°.     

Polyimides derived from cyclooctadiene dianhydrides

1,5-Cyclooctadiene-1,2,5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride reacts with diamines in m-cresol at 110°C to give high molecular weight polymides soluble in m-cresol and tetrachloroethane. Films can be cast from solution and fibers drawn by dry and wet spinning. These polyimides showed rather low thermal stability, but high hydrolytic stability and good mechanical properties. The polyamic acid intermediates cannot be isolated due to spontaneous cyclization even at room temperature. This is discussed in terms of the strain in the cyclooctadiene ring.     

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     

Synthesis and characterization of new soluble aromatic polyimides from 3,4-bis (4-aminophenyl)-2,5-diphenylfuran and aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides

New soluble polyimides with inherent viscosities of 0.2–0.6 dL/g were synthesized from 3,4-bis (4-aminophenyl)-2,5-diphenylfuran and various aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides by the conventional two-step method which involved ring-opening polyaddition and subsequent cyclodehydration. Almost all of the polymides were generally soluble in a wide range of organic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidone, m-cresol, o-chlorophenol, and pyridine. The polyimide prepared from pyromellitic dianhydride was crystalline, whereas the other polyimides were amorphous. All the polyimides have glass transition temperatures in the range of 281–344°C and showed no appreciable weight loss up to 410°C in both air and nitrogen atmospheres.     

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.     

Synthesis and properties of aromatic polyimides derived from 2,2,′3,3′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride

2,2,′3,3′‐Biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (2,2,′3,3′‐BPDA) was prepared by a coupling reaction of dimethyl 3‐iodophthalate. The X‐ray single‐crystal structure determination showed that this dianhydride had a bent and noncopolanar structure, presenting a striking contrast to its isomer, 3,3,′4,4′‐BPDA. This dianhydride was reacted with aromatic diamines in a polar aprotic solvent such as N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) to form polyamic acid intermediates, which imidized chemically to polyimides with inherent viscosities of 0.34–0.55 dL/g, depending on the diamine used. The polyimides from 2,2,′3,3′‐BPDA exhibited a good solubility and were dissolved in polar aprotic solvents and polychlorocarbons. These polyimides have high glass transition temperatures above 283°C. Thermogravimetric analyses indicated that these polyimides were fairly stable up to 500°C, and the 5% weight loss temperatures were recorded in the range of 534–583°C in nitrogen atmosphere and 537–561°C in air atmosphere. All polyimides were amorphous according to X‐ray determination. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1425–1433, 1999     

Poly(arylsulfone imide) as E-beam resist: Synthesis and radiolysis

Aromatic diamines containing ? SO₂? and ? S? moieties have been used to prepare soluble polyimides with ditrifluoromethyl methane bis(phthalic anhydride) (F-series polyimides) and polyamic acid with pyromellitic dianhydride (P-series). Gamma radiolysis gave G(S) values for scission between 1 to 2 with no crosslinking. Significant weight loss occurred with radiolysis is attributable to efficient ? SO₂? bond scission for the F-series polyimides, as well as imidization in the cases of P-series polyamic acids.     

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HIGHLY ORGANO-SOLUBLE POLYIMIDES BASED ON ALICYCLIC 1,8-DIMETHYL-BICYCLO[2.2.2]OCT-7- ENE-2,3,5,6-TETRACARBOXYLIC DIANHYDRIDE AND AROMATIC DIAMINES*

 Organo-soluble alicyclic polyimides (ALPIs) were synthesized from an alicyclic dianhydride, 1,8-dimethyl-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (DMEA) and several multialkyl-substituted 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane compounds, including 3,3'-dimethyl-4,4'-diaminodiphenyl methane (DMDA), 3,3',5,5'-tetra-methy]-4,4'-diaminodiphenyl methane (TMDA) and 3,3',5,5'-tetraethyl-4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane (TEDA). For comparison, the aromatic polyimides (ARPIs) were synthesized from the aromatic dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-benzo-phenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and the same diamines. The ALPIs exhibited better solubility and transparency,but worse thermal stabilities and mechanical properties than those of the ARPIs. And the ALPIs could be dissolved in common organic solvents,such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, m-cresol and so on. The ALPI films had an UV-Vis cut-off at 320 nm and a transmittance of higher than 80% in the visible region. In addition, the ALPIs showed thermal decomposition temperatures (T_d) of about 450℃, which was nearly 100℃ lower than that of the ARPIs.     

Novel aromatic polyimides derived from benzofuro[2,3-b]benzofuran-2,3,8,9-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BBTDA)

Benzofuro[2,3-b]benzofuran-2,3,8,9-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BBTDA) is introduced as a monomer for the synthesis of a series of novel polyimides with enhanced high thermal stability. Polyimides derived from BBTDA and aromatic diamines showed high glass transition (T_g>296 °C) and degradation (T₅>455 °C) temperatures, and were soluble in organic solvents (i.e. N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), N,N^′-dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N^′-dimethylacetamide (DMAc)). The polymerization yielded high-molecular-weight polyimides with inherent viscosities ranging from 1.75 to 2.14 dl/g. The polymers were characterized by IR and elemental analysis.     

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).     

New organo‐soluble aromatic polyimides based on 3,3′,5,5′‐tetrabromo‐2,2‐bis[4‐(3,4‐dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane dianhydride and aromatic diamines

New aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride, having isopropylidene and bromo‐substituted arylene ether structure 3,3′,5,5′‐tetrabromo‐2,2‐bis[4‐(3,4‐dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane dianhydride, was synthesized by the reaction of 4‐nitrophthalonitrile with 3,3′,5,5′‐tetrabromobisphenol A, followed by alkaline hydrolysis of the intermediate bis(ether dinitrile) and subsequent dehydration of the resulting bis(ether diacid). The novel aromatic polyetherimides having inherent viscosities up to 1.04 dL g⁻¹ were obtained by either a one‐step or a conventional two‐step polymerization process starting from the bis(ether anhydride) and various aromatic diamines. All the polyimides showed typical amorphous diffraction patterns. Most of the polyimides were readily soluble in common organic solvents such as N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), pyridine, and even in less polar solvents like chloroform and tetrahydrofuran (THF). These aromatic polyimides had glass transition temperatures in the range of 256–303°C, depending on the nature of the diamine moiety. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that all polymers were stable, with 10% weight loss recorded above 470°C in nitrogen. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1673–1680, 1999     

Synthesis and characterization of soluble polyimides from 2,2-bis(4-aminophenyl)cycloalkane derivatives

New aromatic diamines [(1) and (2)] containing polycycloalkane structures between two benzene rings were synthesized by HCl-catalyzed condensation reaction of aniline hydrochloride and corresponding polycycloalkanone derivatives. The structures of diamines were identified by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, FTIR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The polyimides were synthesized from the obtained diamines with various aromatic dianhydrides by one-step polymerization in m-cresol. The inherent viscosities of the resulting polyimides were in the range of 0.34–1.02 dL/g. The polyimides showed good thermal stabilities and solubility. All the polymers were readily soluble in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, m-cresol, tetrachloroethane, etc. Some of them were soluble even in chloroform at room temperature. The glass transition temperatures were observed in the range of 323–363°C, and all of the polymers were stable up to 400°C under nitrogen atmosphere. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3449–3454, 1999     

Heat-resistant polymers containing bipyridyl units. III. Polyimides having o-, m-, or p-phenylenedioxy linkage

New series of diamines having pyridine rings and o-, m-, or p-phenylenedioxy linkages were prepared by condensation of chloronitropyridine with isomeric dihydroxybenzenes followed by chemical reduction. The polymerization of the diamines with benzo-phenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride gave polyamic acids with the inherent viscosities in the range 0.21 to 1.30 dl/g. The conversion of these polyamic acids to polyimides was carried out thermally and the resulting polyimides exhibited very good solubility in organic solvents.     

Synthesis of aliphatic polyimides containing adamantyl units

Aliphatic polyimides containing adamantyl units (APIs) were prepared by the poly(addition/condensation) of a dianhydride bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic 2,3 : 5,6-dianhydride with a rigid diamine, 1,3-diaminoadamantane or 3,3′-diamino-1,1′-biadamantyl, and a flexible diamine, 4,4′-methylenebis(cyclohexylamine) or 1,4-cyclohexanediamine. One-step polymerizations were conducted at 80–200°C in m-cresol, producing APIs with inherent viscosities up to 0.53 dL g⁻¹. These APIs are soluble in haloalkanes, m-cresol, and sulfuric acid and show high thermal stability and excellent transparency. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3584–3590, 1999     

Synthesis and Properties of Polyamides and Polyimides Derived From Diamines Having 2-Phenyl-4,5-Oxazolediyl Units and Polyamide/Montmorillonite Composite

Aromatic polyamides were synthesized from 4,5-bis(4-aminophenyl)-2-phenyloxazole (APO) or 4,5-bis[4(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]-2-phenyloxazole (APPO) containing 2-phenyl-4,5-oxazolediyl units with several aromatic carboxylic dichlorides by a low-temperature solution polycondensation method. The polyamides were obtained quantitatively, and their inherent viscosities ranged from 0.48 to 1.25 dL g^?1. The glass transition temperatures (T _gs) were displayed between 234 to 311°C, and the residual weight at 600°C (Res.wt₆₀₀) exceeded 52% in nitrogen atmosphere. The polyamides showed good solubility in several aprotic polar solvents, such as N,N-dimethylacetoamide (DMAc), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Aromatic polyimides were derived from APO or APPO with aromatic carboxylic dianhydrides through polyamic acids. The inherent viscosities of the polyamic acids, which were 0.53 to 1.02 dL g^?1, T _gs of the polyimides were observed between 259 to 361°C and their Res.wts₆₀₀ were above 70%. The polyamides and polyimides were amorphous and afforded thin, flexible and tough films. We also prepared a nanocomposite of the polyamide derived from APPO with organophilic montmorillonite clay.     

Preparation and properties of high‐pretilt‐angle polyimides based on an alicyclic dianhydride and long alkyloxy side‐group‐containing diamines

A series of polyimides were prepared by a solution polycondensation reaction between 3‐carboxylmethylcyclopentane‐1,2,4‐tricarboxylic dianhydride and 4‐alkyloxybenzene‐1,3‐diamines in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and chemical imidization with triethylamine and acetic anhydride. These polyimides possess great organo‐solubility, high optical transparency, and high pretilt angles. They are soluble not only in strong polar aprotic organic solvents such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, N,N‐dimethylacetamide, N,N‐dimethylformamide, m‐cresol, and 1,4‐butyrolactone but also in common low‐boiling‐point solvents such as chloroform and tetrahydrofuran, and some are even soluble in acetone. They exhibit high transparency at wavelengths greater than 320 nm. They can generate pretilt angles greater than 5°, and some can even achieve pretilt angles greater than 10°. The pretilt angle of a polyimide increases with the increasing length of the alkyloxy side group. The polyimides possess glass‐transition temperatures between 180 and 230 °C and thermal decomposition temperatures (onset temperatures) of about 435 °C. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1943–1950, 2000     

Syntheses and properties of organosoluble polyimides based on 5,5′‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]‐4, 7‐methanohexahydroindan

A series of organosoluble aromatic polyimides (PIs) was synthesized from 5,5′‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]‐4,7‐methanohexahydroindan (3) and commercial available aromatic dianhydrides such as 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA), 4,4′‐sulfonyl diphthalic anhydride (SDPA), or 2,2′‐bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropanic dianhydride (6FDA). PIs (III_c–f), which were synthesized by direct polymerization in m‐cresol, had inherent viscosities of 0.83–1.05 dL/g. These polymers could easily be dissolved in N,N′‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), pyridine, m‐cresol, and dichloromethane. Whereas copolymerization was proceeded with equivalent molar ratios of pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA)/6FDA, 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA)/6FDA, or BTDA/SDPA, or ½ for PMDA/SDPA, copolyimides (co‐PIs), derived from 3 and mixed dianhydrides, were soluble in NMP. All the soluble PIs could form transparent, flexible, and tough films, and they showed amorphous characteristics. These films had tensile strengths of 88–111 MPa, elongations at break of 5–10% and initial moduli of 2.01–2.67 GPa. The glass transition temperatures of these polymers were in the range of 252–311°C. Except for III_e, the 10% weight loss temperatures (T_d) of PIs were above 500°C, and the amount of carbonized residues of the PIs at 800°C in nitrogen atmosphere were above 50%. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1681–1691, 1999     

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     

Synthesis and characterization of new soluble aromatic polyimides from diaminotetraphenylimidazolinone and aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides

A series of new soluble aromatic polyimides with inherent viscosities of 0.65–1.12 dL/g were synthesized from 1,3-bis(4-aminophenyl)-4,5-diphenylimidazolin-2-one and various aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides by the conventional two-step procedure that included ring-opening polyaddition and subsequent thermal cyclodehydration. These polyimides could also be prepared by the one-pot procedure in homogeneous m-cresol solution. Most of the tetraphenyl-pendant polyimides were soluble in organic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidone, and m-cresol. Some polyimides gave transparent, flexible, and tough films with good tensile properties. The glass transition temperatures and 10% weight loss temperatures under nitrogen of the polyimides were in the range of 287–326 and 520–580°C, respectively. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1767–1772, 1998