Synthesis and characterization of novel fluorinated aromatic polyimides derived from 1,1‐bis(4‐amino‐3,5‐dimethylphenyl)‐1‐(3,5‐ditrifluoromethylphenyl)‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethane and various aromatic dianhydrides

A novel fluorinated aromatic diamine, 1,1‐bis(4‐amino‐3,5‐dimethylphenyl)‐1‐(3,5‐ditrifluoromethylphenyl)‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethane (9FMA), was synthesized by the coupling reaction of 3′,5′‐ditrifluoromethyl‐2,2,2‐trifluoroacetophenone with 2,6‐dimethylaniline under the catalysis of 2,6‐dimethylaniline hydrochloride. A series of fluorinated aromatic polyimides were synthesized from 9FMA and various aromatic dianhydrides, including pyromellitic dianhydride, 3,3′4,4′‐biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride, 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), and 4,4′‐hexafluoroisopropylidene diphthalic anhydride, via a high‐temperature, one‐stage imidization process. The inherent viscosities of the polyimides ranged from 0.37 to 0.74 dL/g. All the polyimides were quickly soluble in many low‐boiling‐point organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, and acetone as well as some polar organic solvents such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone, N,N′‐dimethylacetamide, and N,N′‐dimethylformamide. Freestanding fluorinated polyimide films could be prepared and exhibited good thermal stability with glass‐transition temperatures of 298–334 °C and outstanding mechanical properties with tensile strengths of 69–102 MPa and elongations at break of 3.3–9.9%. Moreover, the polyimide films possessed low dielectric constants of 2.70–3.09 and low moisture absorption (<0.58%). The films also exhibited good optical transparency with a cutoff wavelength of 303–351 nm. One polyimide (9FMA/BTDA) also exhibited an intrinsic negative photosensitivity, and a fine pattern could be obtained with a resolution of 5 μm after exposure at the i‐line (365‐nm) wavelength. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2665–2674, 2006     

The synthesis and X‐ray structure of 1,2,3,4‐cyclobutane tetracarboxylic dianhydride and the preparation of a new type of polyimide showing excellent transparency and heat resistance

Some polyimide films based on cyclobutane‐1,2,3,4‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride (CBDA) and aromatic diamines were synthesized to investigate their temperature resistance and percent transmission of light. The preparations of CBDA were investigated; they produced almost 10 times the yield of CBDA in comparison to yields obtained by previous methods. The configuration of CBDA was determined by X‐ray analysis to be cis–trans–cis. The polymer films showed excellent thermal resistance and were transparent and colorless, desirable characteristics for practical applications in the field of polymer engineering. However, the polymer obtained from a pyromellitic dianhydride instead of from CBDA was deep yellow and not desirable for high‐qualified display materials such as liquid‐crystal displays. The percent transmission of the polymers obtained from CBDA and aromatic diamines ranged from 81.5 to 85.8%, whereas the deep‐yellow polymers showed low percent transmissions ranging from 48 to 63.9%. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 108–116, 2000     

Synthesis and properties of polyimides from thianthrene-2,3,7,8-tetracarboxylic dianhydride-5,5,10,10-tetraoxide

Thianthrene - 2,3,7,8 - tetracarboxylic dianhydride - 5,5,10,10 - tetraoxide (TADATO), a dianhydride having two sulfonyls between two phenyl rings, was synthesized and polymerized with several diamines by a two-step method. Tough polyimide membranes were obtained with flexible diamines but not with rigid diamines. Most of TADATO-based polyimides are soluble in polar solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. IR study confirmed that almost complete imidization of TADATO-based poly(amic acid) membranes could be achieved by thermal treatment at 100, 200, and 300°C for each 1 h. In a series of polyimides based on 4,4′-oxydianiline, the polyimide from TADATO showed higher gas permeability coefficient of CO₂ and higher selectivities of CO₂/N₂ and CO₂/CH₄ than those of polyimides from pyromellitic dianhydride and 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, and was comparable to that from 2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36 : 485–494, 1998     

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.     

Preparation and properties of novel soluble aromatic polyimides from 4,4′-diaminotriphenylamine and aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides

New aromatic polyimides containing triphenylamine unit were prepared by two different methods, i.e., a conventional two-step method starting from 4,4′-diaminotriphenylamine and aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides and the one-step thioanhydride method starting from the aromatic diamine and aromatic tetracarboxylic dithioanhydrides. Both procedures yielded high-molecular-weight polyimides with inherent viscosities of 0.47–1.17 dL/g. Some of these polymers were soluble in organic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, m-cresol, and pyridine. All the polyimides afforded transparent, flexible, and tough films, and the color varied from pale yellow to dark red, depending markedly on the tetracarboxylic acid components. The glass transition temperatures (T_gs) of these polyimides were in the range of 287–331°C and the 10% weight loss temperatures were above 520°C in air. The polyimides prepared by the one-step method exhibited better solubility in organic solvents and had somewhat lower T_gs than the polymers prepared by a conventional two-step method.     

Synthesis and properties of aromatic polyureas from N,N′-bis(trimethylsilyl)-substituted aromatic diamines and aromatic diisocyanates

Silylated aromatic polyureas were synthesized by the polyaddition of N,N′-bis(trimethylsilyl)-substituted aromatic diamines to aromatic diisocyanates in various organic solvents at a temperature ranging from 30 to 100°C. Colorless and transparent films of the silylated polyureas were obtained by casting directly from these solutions in a dry nitrogen atmosphere. The silylated polyureas thermally decomposed at around 200°C and were easily desilylated with alcohol to convert to almost amorphous aromatic polyureas having inherent viscosities of 0.4–1.0 dL/g. The polyureas exhibited better solubility in organic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and dimethyl sulfoxide and had somewhat lower thermal decomposition temperatures (around 300°C) than the polyureas prepared by a conventional method from the parent aromatic diamines and diisocyanates.     

Preparation and properties of new soluble aromatic polyimides from 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)biphenyl dianhydride and aromatic diamines

A new aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride having a crank and twisted noncoplannar structure, 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)biphenyl dianhydride, was synthesized by the reaction of 4-nitrophthalonitrile with biphenyl-2,2′-diol, followed by hydrolysis and cyclodehydration. The biphenyl-2,2′-diyl-containing aromatic polyimides having inherent viscosities up to 0.66 dL/g were obtained by the conventional two-step procedure starting from the dianhydride monomer and various aromatic diamines. Most of the polyimides were readily soluble in amide-type solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The aromatic polyimides had glass transition temperatures in the range of 205–242°C, and began to lose weight around 415°C, with 10% weight loss being recorded at about 500°C in air. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2021–2027, 1998     

Condensation polymerization of pyromellitic dianhydride with aromatic diamine in aprotic solvent: A reaction mechanism

Based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies, a probable reaction mechanism was proposed for the condensation polymerization of pyromellitic dianhydride with aromatic diamines in aprotic solvent, N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), to yield aromatic polyimides. The mechanism shows the essential role played by the solvent during polymerization reaction and in imidization. It explains the formation of polyamic acid and that of its high molecular weight buildup under the conditions in which solid dianhydride was added to the solution of diamine in DMAc. A prepolymer complex formation was observed, along with the main polyamic acid, when solid diamine was added to the solution of dianhydride in DMAc. The structure of the prepolymer was derived on the basis of NMR and its formation explained in the mechanism. The nature of the prepolymer was such that on treatment with anhydride it goes to polyamic acid.     

Benzimidazole- and oxadiazole-modified aromatic polyimides

Three series of aromatic primary diamines were synthesized. The first series of three contained one or two hydrazide groups. The second series of five contained one or two oxadiazole groups. The third series of four contained one or two benzimidazole groups. Reaction of each diamine with either pyromellitic dianhydride or 3,4,3′,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride gave a series of soluble polymeric amic acids, from which films of good thermal stability were cast. The heat-cured films were either oxadiazoleimide or benzimidazole-imide polymers, depending upon the diamine used. When hydrazide-amic acid polymers were heated, the conversion of amic acid to imide was essentially complete before any substantial portion of the hydriazide linkages were converted to oxadiazole. The latter conversion was accompanied by degradation. A better method of preparation for these polymers is through the oxadiazole contaning diamines. One hydrazide-imide polymer was prepared from trimellitic anhydride and was converted to an oxadiazole-imide by heating. The reaction of equimolar quantities of a dianhydride with 3,5,2′-triaminobenzanilde gave a soluble polymer which was converted to a benzimidazole-imide by heating.     

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 properties of aromatic block copolyimides

Anhydride terminated polyamic acid prepolymer was prepared from pyromellitic dianhydride and a diamine (para-phenylene diamine/benzidine) in dimethyl formamide. The prepolymer was reacted with the other diamine to obtain (A_nB)_m block copolymic acid. The polyamic acid was converted to the polyimide by thermal cyclodehydration. The properties of block copolyimides were compared with those of random copolyimides prepared by conventional routes.     

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).     

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°.     

Synthesis and properties of soluble aromatic polyimides from 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl dianhydride and aromatic diamines

Aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride having crank and twisted noncoplanar structure, 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl dianhydride, was synthesized by the reaction of 4-nitrophthalonitrile with 2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl, followed by alkaline hydrolysis of the intermediate bis(ether dinitrile) and subsequent dehydration of the resulting bis(ether diacid). Binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl–containing novel aromatic polyimides having inherent viscosities up to 0.67 dL/g were obtained by the one-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), and pyridine. These aromatic polyimides had glass transition temperatures in the range of 280–350°C, depending on the nature of the diamine moiety. All polymers were stable up to 400°C, with 10% weight loss being recorded above 485°C in air. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1937–1943, 1998     

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     

Polyimide containing internal acetylene units linked para to the aromatic ring

4,4′-Diaminodiphenylacetylene (p-intA) was reacted with 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) to give poly(amic acid) solution of moderate to high viscosity. Thermal imidization gave polyimide having acetylene units that are linked para to the aromatic connecting unit. Polyimide having acetylene units that are linked meta to the aromatic connecting unit also was prepared utilizing 3,3′-diaminodiphenylacetylene (m-intA) for comparison. The crosslinking behavior of the acetylene units was observed with DSC. Exotherm due to the crosslinking of the para-linked acetylene units appeared at ca. 340 to 380°C depending on the structure of polyimide, whereas meta-linked acetylene units appeared at lower temperature as 340–350°C. After thermal treatment at high temperature such as 350 or 400°C, the amount of the exotherm became smaller and finally disappeared on DSC, confirming the progress of crosslinking. Dynamic mechanical properties of the polyimide films show that glass transition temperature increased with higher heat treatment, also confirming the progress of crosslinking. Tensile properties of the polyimide films showed that rigid polyimide films consisting of p-intA with BPDA or PMDA have considerably higher modulus than those consisting of m-intA. Cold-drawing of the poly(amic acid) followed by imidization gave much higher modulus in the case of rigid polyimide. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 2395–2402, 1997     

Polyimides containing nonaromatic nitrogen linkages

Two diamines, 2,5-bis (4-aminophenyl)-2,5-diazahexane and 1,4-bis (4-aminophenyl)-1,4-diazacyclohexane were chosen as components for polyimidizations because they have melting points that differ by nearly 200°C (66–67 and 229–230°C, respectively) and are relatives of p-nitro-N,N-dimethylaniline. The melting points of the model compounds (phthalic anhydride) do not differ by as much as those of the free amines [303–304 and 386°C (DSC), respectively]. Six polyimides were prepared by a two-step polycondensation of the diamines with pyromellitic dianhydride, benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, and 5,5'-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl) ethylidene] bis-1,3-isobenzofurandione. DSC thermograms failed to indicate any distinct transitions up to 450°C, however, the polyimide prepared from 2,5-bis (4-aminophenyl)-2,5-diazahexane and pyromellitic dianhydride shows a slight break in its DSC curve at 233°C.     

Synthesis of aromatic polyamide-imides from N,N′-bis(trimethylsilyl)-substituted aromatic diamines and 4-chloroformylphthalic anhydride

The polymerization of N,N′-bis(trimethylsilyl)-substituted aromatic diamines with 4-chloroformylphthalic anhydride in various solvents at a temperature range between 10 and 70°C afforded polyamide-amic acid trimethylsilyl esters having inherent viscosities of 0.8–1.4 dL/g. Transparent and flexible films of the silylated precursor polymers were obtained by casting directly from the polymer solutions. Desilylation of the silylated polymers with methanol resulted in the formation of the corresponding polyamide-amic acids. Subsequent thermal imidization of the silylated precursor polymers with the elimination of trimethylsilanol afforded yellow, transparent, and tough films of the aromatic polyamide-imides. The thermal conversion of the silylated precursor polymer to polyamide-imide proceeded almost as rapidly as that of the corresponding polyamide-amic acid prepared by a conventional method from the parent aromatic diamine and 4-chloroformylphthalic anhydride.     

Preparation and properties of novel polyimides derived from 4‐aryl‐2,6 bis(4‐amino phenyl)pyridine

To prepare novel polyimides with enhanced thermal stability and high solubility in common organic solvents, diamine monomers, 4‐aryl‐2,6 bis‐(4‐amino phenyl)pyridine, were introduced. The diamines were reacted with three different conventional aromatic dianhydrides including pyromellitic dianhydride, benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, and hexafluoroisopropylidene‐2,2‐bis(phthalic‐dianhydride) (6FDA) in dimethylacetamide solvent to obtain the corresponding polyimides via the polyamic acid precursors and chemical imidization. The monomers and polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, mass spectroscopy, and elemental analysis; and the best condition of polymerization and imidization were obtained via the study of model compound. The polyimides showed little or no weight loss by thermogravimetric analysis up to 500 °C, and those derived from 6FDA exhibited good solubility in various polar solvents. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 3826–3831, 2001     

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