Synthesis and properties of polyimides,polyamides and poly(amide-imide)s from ether diamine having the spirobichroman structure

A novel spirobichroman unit containing dietheramine, 6,6′-bis(4-aminophenoxy)-4,4,4′,4′,7,7′-hexamethyl-2,2′-spirobichroman ( 3 ), was prepared by the nucleophilic substitution of 6,6′-dihydroxy-4,4,4′,4′,7,7′-hexamethyl-2,2′-spirobichroman with p-chloronitrobenzene in the presence of K₂CO₃ followed by hydrazine catalytic reduction of the intermediate dinitro compound. A series of polyimides were synthesized from diamine 3 and various aromatic dianhydrides by a conventional two-stage procedure through the formation of poly(amic-acid)s followed by thermal imidization. The intermediate poly(amic-acid)s had inherent viscosities of 1.00–2.78 dL/g. All the poly-(amic-acid)s could be thermally cyclodehydrated into flexible and tough polyimide films, and some polyimides were soluble in polar solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). These polyimides had glass transition temperatures (T_g) in the range of 236–256°C, and 10% weight loss occurred up to 450°C. Furthermore, a series of polyamides and poly(amide-imide)s with inherent viscosities of 0.71–2.29 dL/g were prepared by direct polycondensation of the diamine 3 with various aromatic dicarboxylic acids and imide ring-containing dicarboxylic acids by means of triphenyl phosphite and pyridine. All the polyamides and poly(amide-imide)s were readily soluble in polar solvents such as DMAc, and tough and flexible films could be cast from their DMAc solutions. These polymers had glass transition temperatures in the range of 137–228°C and 10% weight loss temperatures in the range of 419–443°C in air and 404–436°C in nitrogen, respectively. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 1487–1497, 1997     

Synthesis and evaluation of novel polyimides derived from spirobichroman diether anhydride

A spirobichroman structure-containing diether anhydride (SBCDA), 6,6′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)-4,4,4′,4′,7,7′-hexamethyl-2,2′-spirobichroman dianhydride, was prepared by the nucleophilic nitrodisplacement of 4-nitrophthalonitrile with the phenolate ion of 6,6′-dihydroxy-4,4,4′,4′,7,7′-hexamethyl-2,2′-spirobichroman, followed by alkaline hydrolysis of the intermediate tetranitrile and dehydration of the resulting tetraacid. A series of high molecular weight poly(ether imide)s with inherent viscosities between 0.45 and 1.28 dL/g were synthesized from SBCDA and various aromatic diamines via a conventional two-stage procedure that included ring-opening polyaddition in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) to give poly(amic acid)s, followed by thermal cyclization to poly(ether imide)s. The intermediate poly(amic acid)s had inherent viscosities of 0.70–1.50 dL/g. Except for the poly(ether imide) obtained from p-phenylenediamine, the other poly(ether imide)s were soluble in various organic solvents and could be solution-cast into transparent, flexible, and tough films. These poly(ether imide)s had glass transition temperatures in the range 175–262°C and showed no significant decomposition below 420°C, with 10% weight loss being recorded above 446°C in nitrogen or air. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 2801–2809, 1997     

Synthesis,characterization, and thermal properties of novel arylene sulfone ether polyimides and polyamides

A new aromatic sulfone ether diamine was synthesized by nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction of 5‐amino‐1‐naphthol with bis(4‐chlorophenyl) sulfone in the presence of potassium carbonate in a polar aprotic solvent. Polycondensation reactions of the obtained diamine with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), and hexafluoroisopropylidene diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) resulted in preparation of thermally stable poly(sulfone ether imide)s. Poly(sulfone ether amide)s also were prepared by reaction of the diamine with terephthaloyl chloride (TPC) and isophthaloyl chloride (IPC). The prepared monomer and polymers were characterized by conventional methods. Physical and mechanical properties of polymers, including thermal stability, thermal behavior, solution viscosity, solubility behavior, and modulus, also were studied. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1487–1492, 2000     

New poly(ester amide ether amide)s from a novel flexible diamine and different diacid chlorides using TMSCl for in situ silylation

A novel flexible diamine with built-in ester, amide and ether groups named terephthalic acid bis(4-{2-[2-(2-amino ethoxy)ethoxy]ethyl carbamoyl}phenyl) ester (TABE), was synthesized via two steps. Nucleophilic reaction of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid with terephthaloyl chloride in the presence of NaOH yielded terephthaloyl bis (4-oxybenzoic) acid (TOBA). The diamine (TABE) was prepared via two direct and indirect methods. In the indirect method TOBA was converted to related diacid chloride and reacted with 1,8-diamino-3,6-dioxaoctane (DADO). Direct method was achieved through the reaction of TOBA with DADO via Yamazaki method. TOBA and TABE were fully characterized and TABE was used to prepare new poly(ester amide ether amide)s through polycondensation with different diacid chlorides in the presence of trimethylchlorosilane (TMSCl). The polymers were characterized using conventional methods and their physical properties including inherent viscosity, thermal behavior, thermal stability, crystallinity, and solubility were studied. The polymers showed good thermal stability and improved solubility.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(ether imide)s based on the bis(ether anhydride)s from hydroquinone and its derivatives

Four bis(ether anhydride)s, 4,4′‐(1,4‐phenylenedioxy)diphthalic anhydride (IV), 4,4′‐(2,5‐tolylenedioxy)‐diphthalic anhydride (Me‐IV), 4,4′‐(2‐chloro‐1,4‐phenylenedioxy)diphthalic anhydride (Cl‐IV), and 4,4′‐(2,5‐biphenylenedioxy)diphthalic anhydride (Ph‐IV), were prepared in three steps starting from the nucleophilic nitrodisplacement reaction of 4‐nitrophthalonitrile with the potassium phenoxides of hydroquinone and various substituted hydroquinones such as methylhydroquinone, chlorohydroquinone, and phenylhydroquinone in N,N‐dimethylformamide, followed by alkaline hydrolysis and dehydration. Four series of poly(ether imide)s were prepared from bis(ether anhydride)s with various aromatic diamines by a classical two‐step procedure. The inherent viscosities of the intermediate poly(amic acid)s were in the range of 0.40–2.63 dL/g. Except for those derived from p‐phenylenediamine and benzidine, almost all the poly(amic acid)s could be solution‐cast and thermally converted into transparent, flexible, and tough polyimide films. Introduction of the chloro or phenyl substituent leads to a decreased crystallinity and an increased solubility of the polymers. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of these polyimides were recorded in the range of 204–263°C. In general, the methyl‐ and chloro‐substituted polyimides exhibited relatively higher T_gs, whereas the phenyl‐substituted ones exhibited slightly lower T_gs compared to the corresponding nonsubstituted ones. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) showed that 10% weight loss temperatures of all the polymers were above 500°C either in nitrogen or in air. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 665–675, 1999     

Fluorinated polyamides and poly(amide imide)s based on 1,4‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluromethylphenoxy)benzene,aromatic dicarboxylic acids,and various monotrimellitimides and bistrimellitimides: Syntheses and properties

A CF₃‐containing diamine, 1,4‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluromethylphenoxy) benzene ( I ), was prepared from hydroquinone and 2‐chloro‐5‐nitrobenzotrifluoride. Imide‐containing diacids ( V _a–h and VI _a,b ) were prepared through the condensation reaction of amino acids, aromatic diamines, and trimellitic anhydride. Then, a series of soluble fluorinated polyamides ( VII _a–h ) and poly(amide imide)s ( VIII _a–h and X _a,b ) were synthesized from I with various aromatic diacids ( II _a–h ) and imide‐containing diacids ( V _a–h and VI _a,b ) via direct polycondensation with triphenyl phosphate and pyridine. The polyamides and poly(amide imide)s had inherent viscosities of 1.00–1.70 and 0.79–1.34 dL/g, respectively. All the synthesized polymers showed excellent solubility in amide‐type solvents such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone, N,N‐dimethylacetamide, and N‐dimethylformamide and afforded transparent and tough films via solvent casting. Polymer films of VII _a–h , VIII _a–h , and X _a,b had tensile strengths of 91–113 MPa, elongations to break of 8–40%, and initial moduli of 2.1–2.8 GPa. The glass‐transition temperatures of the polyamides and poly(amide imide)s were 254–276 and 255–292 °C, respectively, and the imide‐containing poly(amide imide)s had better thermal stability than the polyamides. The polyamides showed higher transparency and were much lighter in color than the poly(amide imide)s, and their cutoff wave numbers were below 400 nm. In comparison with isomeric IX _{c – h} , poly(amide imide)s VIII _c–h exhibited less coloring and showed lower yellowness indices. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3116–3129, 2004     

Poly(ester amide)s derived from L‐tartaric acid and amino alcohols. II. Aregic polymers

A series of aregic poly(ester amide)s (a‐PEAT6) with ester/amide ratios (a : b) varying from 1 : 19 to 1 : 2 were prepared with L ‐tartaric acid, 6‐aminohexanol, and 1,6 hexanediamine as the starting materials. Polycondensation in a solution of the diamine with mixtures of pentachlorophenyl‐activated di‐O‐methyl‐L ‐tartaric and 6‐aminohexyl‐di‐O‐methyl‐L ‐tartaric acids led to a‐PEAT6(a : b), with the a : b ratio determined by the composition of the feed. The newly synthesized poly(ester amide)s were characterized by elemental analysis, size exclusion chromatography, and IR and NMR spectroscopy. They had number‐average molecular weights between 25,000 and 45,000 and were highly crystalline, showing melting temperatures ranging from 100 to 230 °C and glass‐transition temperatures oscillating between 50 and 100 °C. The thermal degradation of a‐PEAT6(a : b) began above 200 °C and concluded with a final weight loss between 60 and 90% of the initial mass. The process evolved with the formation of cyclic tartarimide units and extensive main‐chain scissions. The degradation mechanism is discussed in relation to the chemical composition and microstructure of the polymers. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2687–2696, 2000     

Relaxation behavior of aliphatic-aromatic poly(ether amide)s as revealed by dynamic mechanical and dielectric methods

The mechanical and dielectric relaxation of a set of aromatic-aliphatic polyamides containing ether linkages have been examined as a function of temperature (−140 to 190°C) and frequency (3 to 10⁶ Hz). The polymers differ in the orientation (meta and para) of the aromatic rings, in the length of the aliphatic chain, and in the number of ether linkages per repeating unit. Dynamic mechanical experiments showed three main relaxation peaks related to the glass transition temperature of the polymers (α relaxation), the subglass relaxations associated to the absorbed water molecules (β) and to the motion of the aliphatic moieties (γ). Dielectric experiments showed two subglass relaxation processes (β and γ) that correlates with the mechanical β and γ relaxations, and a conduction process (σ) above 50°C that masks the relaxation associated to the glass transition. A molecular interpretation is attempted to explain the position and intensity of the relaxation, studying the influence of the proportion of para- or meta- oriented phenylene rings, the presence of ether linkages and the length of the aliphatic chain. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys, 35: 457–468, 1997     

Preparation and properties of novel soluble poly(aryl ether)s bearing covalently bound tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine units

Thermooxidatively stable amorphous poly(dicyanopyrazine ether)s with high glass transition temperatures are synthesized and converted into poly(aryl ether)s bearing covalently bound zinc(II) 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octaphenyltetrapyrazinoporphyrazine units. They are soluble in common organic solvents and can be cast into strong and flexible films. The maximum absorption wavelength of the poly(aryl ether)s bearing zinc (II) 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octaphenyltetrapyrazinoporphyrazine units in chloroform is 654 nm. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and properties of poly[arylene ether (N-arylenebenzimidazole)]s

Poly(arylene ether)s containing N-arylenebenzimidazole groups were prepared by the aromatic nucleophilic displacement reaction of two new bis(hydroxyphenyl-N-arylenebenzimidazole)s with activated aromatic difluorides in sulfolane at 200°C in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate. The bis(hydroxyphenyl-N-arylenebenzimidazole)s were prepared from bis(o-aminoanilino) arylenes and phenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate. The polymers were soluble in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone and m-cresol and exhibited inherent viscosities from 0.37–0.86 dL/g and glass transition temperatures from 219–289°C. Thermogravimetric analyses showed 5% weight losses from 463–506°C in air and 467–522°C in nitrogen. Unoriented thin films exhibited tensile strengths, moduli, and break elongations at 23°C of 10.2–12.5 ksi, 318–365 ksi, and 4–7%, respectively, and at 177°C of 5.1–6.9 ksi, 256–296 ksi, and 1–5%, respectively. A 50 : 50 random copolymer prepared from 1,3-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl) benzene, 1,1'-(4,4'-biphenylene)-bis[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole], and 5,5'-bis[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole] exhibited higher moisture absorption and lower tensile properties than those predicted by a rule of mixtures relationship. The chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of these polymers are discussed. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.?     

Aromatic polyamides derived from unsymmetrical diamines containing the phthalazinone moiety

Two unsymmetrical and kink non‐coplanar heterocyclic diamines, 1,2‐dihydro‐2‐(4‐aminophenyl)‐4‐[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl](2H)phthalazin‐1‐one and 1,2‐dihydro‐2‐(4‐aminophenyl)‐4‐[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)‐3,5‐dimethylphenyl](2H) phthalazin‐1‐one, were successfully synthesized by readily available heterocyclic bisphenol‐like monomers through two steps in high yields. A series of novel poly(arylene ether amides)s containing the phthalazinone moiety with inherent viscosities of 1.16–1.67 dL/g were prepared by the direct polymerization of novel diamines and aromatic dicarboxylic acids using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. The polymers were readily soluble in a variety of solvents such as N,N‐dimethylformamide, N,N‐dimethylacctamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, and even in pyridine, chloroform and m‐cresol. The glass‐transition temperatures were in the range of 291–329 °C, and the temperatures for 5% weight loss in nitrogen were above 490 °C. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3489–3496, 2002     

Linear polyamides from L‐malic acid and alkanediamines

A series of linear polyamides (PnMLM) derived from O‐methyl‐protected L ‐malic acid and 1,n‐alkanediamines with even n values ranging from 4 to 12 were prepared and fully characterized. L ‐Malic acid entered in the chain with a random orientation rendering essentially aregic polymers. PnMLM displayed optical rotation consistent with the content of the polymer in malic units, and they all were crystalline with melting points ranging from 158 to 188 °C and glass‐transition temperatures varying from 37 to 70 °C. PnMLM appeared to be fairly stable to heat with thermal decomposition starting close to 300 °C. Hydrolytic degradation of PnMLM at 37 °C was slow, but the process was significantly faster at 70 °C. Thermal degradation took place with the formation of cyclic malimides in the residual polymer and released the 1,n‐alkanediamine. However, hydrolytic degradation took place in a first stage with the formation of open chains of carboxylic‐ and amine‐ended oligomers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1566–1575, 2004     

Crystallization and crystal structure of poly(ester amide)s derived from L‐tartaric acid

The crystal structure and crystallization behavior of a series of poly(ester amide)s derived from L ‐tartaric acid, 1,6‐hexanediamine, and 6‐amino‐1‐hexanol were examined. The study included aregic polymers containing 5, 10, and 20% of ester groups in addition to the syndioregic polymer containing equal amounts of amide and ester groups. X‐ray diffraction data revealed that all the aregic poly(ester amide)s adopt the same crystal structure as the parent polyamide made of L ‐tartaric acid, and 1,6‐hexanediamine. In this structure, chains are slightly compressed and arranged as in the α‐form of nylon 66. Solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) revealed that ester groups are excluded from the crystal phase except for the case of the syndioregic polymer. Isothermal crystallization kinetics was analyzed according to the Avrami theory. Crystallization rates were found to decrease regularly with increasing contents in ester groups and with increasing crystallization temperature. Avrami exponent values close to 2 were found whereas spherulitic morphologies were observed by optical microscopy. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 116–125, 2007     

Synthesis and properties of novel aromatic poly(o-hydroxy amide)s and polybenzoxazoles based on the bis(ether benzoyl chloride)s from hydroquinone and its methyl-, tert-butyl-, and phenyl-substituted derivatives

Four series of poly(o-hydroxy amide)s were prepared by the low-temperature solution polycondensation of the bis(ether benzoyl chloride)s extended from hydroquinone and its methyl-, tert-butyl-, or phenyl-substituted derivatives with three bis(o-aminophenol)s. Most of the poly(o-hydroxy amide)s displayed an amorphous nature, were readily soluble in various polar solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), and could be solution-cast into flexible and tough films. These poly(o-hydroxy amide)s had glass transition temperatures (T_g) in the range of 152–185°C and could be thermally cyclodehydrated into the corresponding polybenzoxazoles approximately in the region of 200–400°C, as evidenced by the DSC thermograms. The thermally converted benzoxazole polymers exhibited T_gs in the range of 215–247°C and did not show significant weight loss before 500°C either in nitrogen or in air. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2129–2136, 1999     

Syntheses and properties of fluorinated polyamides and poly(amide imide)s based on 9,9-bis[4-(4-amino-2-trifluromethylphenoxy)phenyl]fluroene, aromatic dicarboxylic acids, and various monotrimellitimides and bistrimellitimides

A diamine, 9,9-bis[4-(4-amino-2-trifluromethylphenoxy)phenyl]fluroene (I) containing the CF₃ group, was prepared from 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene and 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzotrifluoride. The imide-containing diacids (V _a-j and VI _a,b) were prepared by condensation reaction of amino acids, aromatic diamines, and trimellitic anhydride. Then, a series of soluble fluorinated polyamides (VII _a-e) and poly(amide imide)s (VIII _a-j and X _a,b) were synthesized from diamine (I) with various aromatic diacids II _a-h and the imide-containing diacids (V _a-j and VI _a,b) via direct polycondensation with triphenyl phosphate and pyridine. All polymers showed excellent solubility in amide-type solvents such as N-dimethylforamide and can also be dissolved in pyridine, m-cresol, and tetrahydrofuran. Polymers afford transparent and tough films by solvent casting. The glass transition temperature of these polymers were in the range of 278–366°C, and the poly(amide imide)s had better thermal stability than polyamides. In comparison with the isomeric IX _a-d, VIII _a-d showed a lighter color with lower b* (yellowness index) values than the corresponding IX series.     

Synthesis and properties of new poly(ether sulfone)amides

High molecular-weight aromatic polyamides were obtained from 1,5- and 2,6-bis-(4′-carboxy-4-phenylenoxy-sulfonyl)naphthalene by direct polycondensation reaction in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone with various aromatic diamines, using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. The polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and infrared analysis. The polyamides, obtained in quantitative yield, possessed inherent viscosities in the range 0.42–1.70 dL/g, glass transition temperatures between 245–310°C, and 10% weight loss temperatures in nitrogen and air above 435 and 424°C, respectively. Most of the polymers were soluble in aprotic solvents. The effect of the structure on properties, such as solubility, T_g, and thermal behavior, were also studied. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and characterization of new poly(arylene ether)s containing heterocyclic units. II.

A series of new poly(arylene ether)s, containing naphthalene, pyridine, and quinoline units have been prepared by solution condensation polymerization. The synthesis involves nucleophilic displacement of aromatic dihalides with aromatic potassium bisphenates in an anhydrous dipolar aprotic solvent at elevated temperatures. The polymers, having inherent viscosity from 0.24 to 1.32 dL/g, were obtained in quantitative yield, have excellent thermal stability as shown by 10% weight loss temperatures in nitrogen and air (above 450 and 430°C, respectively) and high glass transition temperatures (in the range of 150–220°C). The introduction of quinoline moieties in the polymer backbone positively influences the thermal properties, such as high T_g/T_m ratios. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(ether imide)s derived from 2,7-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)naphthalene dianhydride and various aromatic diamines

A naphthalene unit-containing bis(ether anhydride), 2,7-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)naphthalene dianhydride, was prepared in three steps starting from the nucleophilic nitrodisplacement reaction of 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene and 4-nitrophthalonitrile in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution in the presence of potassium carbonate followed by alkaline hydrolysis of the intermediate bis(ether dinitrile) and subsequent dehydration of the resulting bis(ether diacid). High-molar-mass aromatic poly(ether imide)s were synthesized using a conventional two-stage polymerization process from the bis(ether anhydride) and ten aromatic diamines. The intermediate poly(ether amic acid)s had inherent viscosities of 0.95–2.67 dL/g. The films of poly(ether imide)s derived from two rigid diamines, that is, p-phenylenediamine and benzidine, crystallized and embrittled during the thermal imidization process. The other poly(ether imide)s belonged to amorphous materials and could be fabricated into transparent, flexible, and tough films. These poly(ether imide) films had yield strengths of 91–115 MPa, tensile strengths of 89–136 MPa, elongation to break of 11–45%, and initial moduli of 1.7–2.2 GPa. The T_gs of poly(ether imide)s were recorded in the range of 222–256°C depending on the nature of the diamine moiety. All polymers were thermally stable up to 500°C, with 10% weight loss being recorded above 540°C in air and nitrogen atmospheres. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 2281–2287, 1997     

Highly phenylated poly(aryl ether phthalazine)s

Two series of novel amorphous poly(aryl ether phthalazine)s have been prepared via an intramolecular ring closure reaction of poly(aryl ether ketone)s (PAEKs) with hydrazine monohydrate. Fluorinated PAEKs, which display solubility in solvents incorporating a ketone functionality such as acetone or ethyl acetate, were converted to poly(aryl ether phthalazine)s to observe if these polymers would display similar solubility characteristics. The poly(aryl ether phthalazine)s have glass transition temperatures in the range of 278–320°C and show 5% weight loss points greater than 500°C in air and nitrogen atmospheres. The fluorinated poly(aryl ether phthalazine)s were not soluble in ketonic solvents. A series of poly(aryl ether phthalazine)s incorporating pendant 2-naphthalenyl moieties has been prepared in an attempt to produce amorphous, thermally stable polymers with high glass transition temperatures. The polymers have glass transition temperatures in the range of 287–334°C and show 5% weight loss points greater than 500°C in air and nitrogen atmospheres. Poly(aryl ether phthalazine)s undergo an exothermic reaction above the glass transition temperature. The major product of this reaction is a rearrangement of the phthalazine moieties to quiazoline moieties, however some crosslinking of the polymers occurs. Cured samples of the poly(aryl ether phthalazine)s show a small increase in the polymer T_g and are insoluble in all solvents tested. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 34:1897–1905, 1996