Synthesis and characterization of new soluble and thermally stable aromatic poly(amide-imide)s based on N-[3,5-bis(N-trimellitoyl)phenyl]phthalimide

A new dicarboxylic acid, N-[3,5-bis(N-trimellitoyl)phenyl]phthalimide (1a), bearing three preformed imide rings was synthesized from the condensation of N-(3,5-diaminophenyl)phthalimide and trimellitic anhydride in glacial acetic acid at 1:2 molar ratio. For study of structure-properties relationship 1,3-bis(N-trimellitoyl)benzene (1b, as a reference) was also synthesized in a similar manner. 1a and 1b were characterized by spectroscopic methods and elemental analyses.A series of wholly aromatic poly(amide-imide)s with inherent viscosities of 0.63-1.09 dl g⁻¹ was prepared by triphenyl phosphite-activated polycondensation from the triimide-dicarboxylic acid 1a and the reference monomer 1b with various aromatic diamines. All of the polymers were fully characterized by FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The effects of the phthalimide pendent group on the polymers properties such as solubility, crystallinity, and thermal stability were investigated by comparison of the polymers. The polymers obtained from triimide-dicarboxylic acid 1a exhibited excellent solubility in a variety of solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, and dimethylsulfoxide. These poly(amide-imide)s possessed glass-transition temperatures from 334 to 403 °C and exhibited excellent thermal stabilities and had 10% weight losses from 541 to 568 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere. Poly(amide-imide)s containing phthalimide pendent groups showed higher solubility, higher T_g and T_d10% values than those having no phthalimide pendent groups.     

Synthesis of aromatic poly(amide-imide)s from novel diimide-diacid (DIDA) containing sulphone and bulky pendant groups by direct polycondensation with various diamines

A novel diimide-diacid (DIDA) monomer, 4-{4-[(4-methyl phenyl) sulphonyl]}-1,3-bis-trimellitoimido benzene containing sulphone and bulky pendant groups was successfully synthesized and used to synthesize a series of wholly aromatic poly(amide-imide)s (PAIs) by direct polycondensation method. The direct polycondensation of newly synthesized DIDA with different diamines was carried out via Yamazaki’s phosphorylation method using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine system. The resulting poly(amide-imide)s were obtained in quantitative yields with inherent viscosities 0.36-0.47 dl/g in DMAc at 30 ± 0.1 °C. The poly(amide-imide)s were amorphous and were readily soluble in various solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), and pyridine. Tough and flexible films were obtained by casting their DMAc solution. According to thermogravimetric analysis, the polymers were fairly stable up to temperature around 396 °C, and 10% weight losses in the temperature range of 476-511 °C that showed good thermal stabilities of these polymers.     

Synthesis and characterization of optically active poly(amide-imide)s containing photosensitive chalcone units in the main chain

<正>A series of new optically active poly(amide-imide)s were synthesized by direct polycondensation reaction of 4,4'-diaminochalcone with several N-trimellitylimido-L-amino acids using a tosyl chloride(TsCl),pyridine(Py) and dimethylformamide(DMF) system as condensing agent.The resulting thermally stable poly(amide-imide)s were obtained in good to high yields and inherent viscosities ranging between 0.35 dL/g and 0.58 dL/g and were characterized with FTIR, ~1H-NMR,CHN,Ultraviolet,TGA and DTG techniques.     

Microwave-assisted rapid synthesis of novel optically active poly(amide-imide)s containing hydantoins and thiohydantoins in main chain

Rapid and highly efficient synthesis of novel optically active poly(amide-imide)s (PAIs) 6(a-f) was achieved using microwave irradiation. These were made from the polycondensation reactions of 4,4^′-carbonyl-bis(phthaloyl-l-alanine) diacid chloride [N,N^′-(4,4^′-carbonyldiphthaloyl)] bisalanine diacid chloride 5 with six different derivatives of hydantoin and thiohydantoin compounds 4(a-f) in the presence of a small amount of a nonpolar organic medium that acts as a primary microwave absorber. Hydantoin and thiohydantoin derivatives 4(a-e) were synthesis from the reactions between benzil or benzil derivatives 3(a-e) with urea and thiourea. 5,5-Dimethylhydantoin 4f was synthesis from the reactions between acetone cyanohydrin 3f and ammonium carbonate. The polycondensation proceeded rapidly, and was completed within 10 min giving a series of PAIs with an inherent viscosity about 0.25-0.45 dL/g. The resulting PAIs 6(a-f) were obtained in a high yield and were optically active and thermally stable. All of the above compounds were fully characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analyses, inherent viscosity (η_inh), solubility tests and specific rotation. Thermal properties of the PAIs 6(a-f) were investigated using thermal gravimetric analysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel poly(amide-imide)s containing hexafluoroisopropylidene linkage

A series of novel soluble poly(amide-imide)s were prepared from the diimide-dicarboxylic acid, 2,2-bis[N-(4-carboxyphenyl)-phthalimidyl]hexafluoropropane, with various diamines by the direct polycondensation in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone containing CaCl₂ using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. All the polymers were obtained in quantitative yields with inherent viscosities of 0.78–1.63 dL g⁻¹. The polymers were amorphous and readily soluble in aprotic polar solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide as well as in less polar solvents such as pyridine and γ-butyrolactone, and also in tetrahydrofuran. The polymer films had tensile strength of 84–129 MPa, an elongation at break range of 6–22%, and a tensile modulus range of 2.0–2.7 GPa. The glass transition temperatures of the polymers were determined by DSC method and they were in the range of 240–282°C. These polymers were fairly stable up to a temperature around or above 400°C, and lose 10% weight in the range of 450–514°C and 440–506°C in nitrogen and air, respectively. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2629–2635, 1999     

New optically active poly（amide-imide）s derived from N, N′-（4,4-diphthaloyl）-bis-L-leucine and hydantoin derivatives： Synthesis and properties

Six new optically active poly(amide-imide)s(5a-f) were synthesized through the direct polycondensation reaction of N,N'-(4,4'- diphthaloyl)-bis-L-leucine(3) with six hydantoin derivatives(4a-f).Triphenyl phosphite(TPP)/pyridine in the presence of calcium chloride(CaCl_2) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone(NMP) were successfully applied for direct polycondensation.The polycondensation reactions produce a series of new poly(amide-imide)s(5a-f) in high yields,and inherent viscosity between 0.42 and 0.55 dL/g.The re...     

Gas separation properties of aromatic poly(amide-imide) membranes

Aromatic poly(amide-imide)s were synthesized using direct 2,2-bis[N-(4-carboxyphenyl)-phthalimidyl] hexafluoropropane (6FDIA) polycondensation with various diamines containing flexible ether groups and bulky substituents. The oxygen and nitrogen gas transport in the poly(amide-imide) membranes was investigate at 35 °C with the pressure between the interval at 2-10 atm. The proposed method is expected to promote the gas permeability of the poly(amide-imide) membrane and maintain the gas selectivity. It was found that both gas permeability and selectivity of poly(amide-imide) membranes increased with increasing fractional free volume and d-spacing. The gas permeability had good correlation with the γ-transition temperature. The bulky pendent group introduced into diamine moiety of poly(amide-imide) could efficiently promote the gas permeability. For the behaviors of gas separation, the gas diffusivity coefficient and solubility selectivity controlled the gas permeability and selectivity, respectively. The sorption behavior of the aromatic poly(amide-imide) membranes can be well explained using the dual mode sorption model. The Langmuir capacity constant and Henry’s law constant increase with FFV increasing. 6F-TBAPS has the best O₂/N₂ separation performance among the poly(amide-imide) membranes.     

Fluorine containing poly(amide-imide)s: synthesis and formation of Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers

Soluble fluorine containing poly(amide-imide)s, PAI(1-4), were synthesized from diimide-dicarboxylic acid, 2,2-bis[N-(4-carboxyphenyl)-phthalimide-1,4-yl]hexafluoropropane with various diamines by direct polycondensation in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) containing CaCl₂ and using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. The polymers were readily soluble in aprotic polar solvents such as NMP, N,N-dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and tetrahydrofuran. Their Langmuir monolayers were studied at the air/water interface. The monolayers were generally stable at the water surface and could be reproducibly transferred onto solid substrates to build up Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) multilayers. The LB mono- and multilayers were characterized by ultra-violet/visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), surface plasmon resonance, atomic force microscopy.     

Novel heat-resistant and organosoluble poly(amide-imide)s containing laterally-attached phenoxy phenylene groups

In this research a new diimide-diacid monomer, 2,2′-bis(4-phenoxyphenyl)-4,4′-bis(N-trimellitoyl)diphenyl ether (BPDPE) containing two laterally-attached phenoxy phenylene groups was prepared by the reaction of 2,2′-bis[(p-phenoxy phenyl)]-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether (PPAPE) with trimellitic anhydride in refluxing glacial acetic acid. Ether-hinged wholly aromatic poly(amide-imide)s with limited viscosity number values of 0.61–0.87 dL g⁻¹ were prepared by triphenyl phosphate (TPP)-activated polycondensation of BPDPE with diamines including PPAPE and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether (DADPE). For comparative purposes, reference poly(amide-imide)s were also prepared by reacting diimide-diacid monomer lacking phenoxy phenylene lateral groups namely 4,4′-bis(N-trimellitoyl)diphenyl ether (BTDPE) with the same diamines under similar conditions. A model compound MODEL was also synthesized by the reaction of BTBPE with two mole equivalents of aniline to compare the spectral characteristics results. Number and weight average molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) technique. The phenoxy phenylene-containing poly(amide-imide)s (all, except that of resulted from BTDPE and DADPE) had excellent organosolubility in common polar solvents. A low crystallinity extent was only observed using their wide-angle X-ray diffractograms (WAXD). A qualitative study showed the prepared polymers could also be cast into optically-transparent and flexible thin films. The ether-containing lateral groups attached to the ether-hinged macromolecular main chains had no substantial diminishing effect on the thermal stability of these structurally-modified poly(amide-imide)s.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel heat resistant poly(amide imide)s

A series of new poly(amide imide)s was prepared from new diacid containing sulfone, ether, amide and imide groups with various aromatic diamines. The diacid was synthesized via four steps, starting from reaction of 4-aminophenol with 4-nitrobenzoyl chloride in the presence of propylene oxide afforded N-(4-hydroxy phenyl)-4-nitrobenzamide. In the second step, reduction of nitro group resulted in preparation of 4-amino-N-(4-hydroxy phenyl) benzamide. In the next step for the preparation of diamine, the reaction of 4-amino-N-(4-hydroxy phenyl) benzamide with bis-(4-chlorophenyl) sulfone in the presence of K₂CO₃ was achieved. The prepared sulfone ether amide diamine was reacted with two moles of trimellitic anhydride to synthesize related sulfone ether amide imide diacid. The precursors and final monomer were characterized by FT-IR, H-NMR and elemental analysis. Direct polycondensation reaction of the sulfone ether amide imide diacid with different diamines in the presence of triphenyl phosphite afforded five different poly (sulfone ether amide imide amide)s. The obtained polymers were fully characterized and their physical properties including thermal behavior, thermal stability, solubility, and inherent viscosity were studied.     

Synthesis and characterizations of novel phosphorous-nitrogen containing poly(ether sulfone)s

The synthesis of novel phosphorus-nitrogen synergism aromatic poly(ether sulfone)s was carried out successfully by using phosphorus-containing and nitrogen-containing biphenol-like monomers, 1,1′-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-metheylene-bispheny-1-oxophosphine oxide (DOPO-PhOH) and 1,2-dihydro-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)phthalazin-1(2H)-one (DHPZ), in the usual synthesis procedure. Polymers with sufficient molecular weights could be obtained. The structure of the phosphorus-nitrogen containing poly(ether sulfone)s was characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR). The influence of monomer ratio on their thermal stability was also investigated by adjusting the proportion of DOPO-PhOH/DHPZ (mol/mol) from 80/20 to 20/80. The molecular weight and glass-transition temperatures (T_g′s) of the polymers increased with increasing content of the DHPZ monomer. The high thermal stabilities were depended on the different proportion of diol type incorporated.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel optically active poly(amide-imide)s via direct amidation

N,N′-Pyromelliticdiimido-di-l-methionine (3) was prepared from the reaction of pyromellitic dianhydride (1) with l-methionine (2) in glacial acetic acid and pyridine solution at refluxing temperature. The direct polycondensation reaction of the monomer diimide-diacid (3) with 1,3-phenylenediamine (4a), 1,4-phenylenediamine (4b), 2,6-diaminopyridine (4c), 3,5-diaminopyridine (4d), 4,4′-diaminodiphenylether (4e) and 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone (4f) was carried out in a medium consisting of triphenyl phosphate, N-methyl-2-pyrolidone, pyridine and calcium chloride. The resulting poly(amide-imide)s having inherent viscosities 0.45-0.53 dl g⁻¹ were obtained in high yields and are optically active and thermally stable. All of the above compounds were fully characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses and specific rotation. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these new optically active poly(amide-imide)s are reported.     

Preparation and properties of aromatic poly(amide-imide)s derived from N-[3,5-bis(3,4-dicarboxybenzamido)phenyl]phthalimide dianhydride

An imide ring-containing diamide-dianhydride, N-[3,5-bis(3,4-dicarboxybenzamido)phenyl]phthalimide dianhydride (1) was prepared by the reaction of trimellitic anhydride chloride with N-(3,5-diaminophenyl)phthalimide in a medium consisting of methylene chloride and pyridine. A series of new alternating aromatic poly(amide-imide)s having inherent viscosities of 0.26-0.37 dl/g was synthesized using a two-step poly(amic-acid) precursor method. A reference monomer, 1,3-bis(3,4-dicarboxybenzamido)benzene dianhydride (2) without the phthalimido pendant group attached to the polymer main chain was prepared in order to study the structure-property relationship. In this case, the structure effects on some properties of the resulting poly(amide-imide)s including crystallinity, solubility, thermal stability, and film flexibility could be easily clarified. A diamide-triimide (3) as a model compound was also synthesized by the reaction of new dianhydride 1 with aniline to compare the characterization data as well as to optimize the polymerization conditions. The resulting polymers were fully characterized by FT-IR, UV-visible and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Most of the polymers showed an amorphous nature and were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), and pyridine. The glass-transition temperatures of these polymers were recorded between 301 and 371 °C. All polymers showed no significant weight loss below 500 °C in nitrogen, and the decomposition temperatures at 10 wt.% loss range from 506 to 543 °C. The films of the resulting poly(amide-imide)s could be cast from their NMP solutions, and the transparency and flexibility of them were investigated.     

New poly (amide-imide) syntheses. IX. Preparation and properties of poly(amide-imide)s derived from 2,7-bis (4-aminophenoxy) naphthalene and various bis (trimellitimide)s

Eleven bis(phenoxy) naphthalene-containing poly(amide-imide)s IIIa–k were synthesized by the direct polycondensation of 2,7-bis (4-aminophenoxy) naphthalene (DAPON) with various aromatic bis (trimellitimide)s IIa–k in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. Poly (amide-imide)s IIIa–k having inherent viscosities of 0.70–1.12 dL/g were obtained in quantitative yields. The polymers containing p-phenylene or bis(phenoxy) benzene units exhibited crystalline x-ray diffraction patterns. Most of the polymers were readily soluble in various solvents such as NMP, N, N-dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, m-cresol, o-chlorophenol, and pyridine, and gave transparent, and flexible films cast from DMAc solutions. Cast films showed obvious yield points in the stress-strain curves and had strength at break up to 87 MPa, elongation to break up to 11%, and initial modulus up to 2.10 GPa. These poly(amide-imide)s had glass transition temperatures in the range of 255–321°C, and the 10% weight loss temperatures were recorded in the range of 529–586°C in nitrogen. The properties of poly(amideimide)s IIIa–k were compared with those of the corresponding isomeric poly (amide-imide)s III′ prepared from 2,7-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy) naphthalene and aromatic diamines. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation and characterization of poly(amide-imide)/ZnO nanocomposites containing pendent benzoxazole and benzimidazole segments

In the present investigation, novel poly(amid-imide)/zinc oxide nanocomposites (PAI/ZnO NCs) containing benzoxazole and benzimidazole pendent groups with different amounts of modified zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were successfully prepared via the ex situ method. Poly(amid-imide) (PAI) was prepared by direct polycondensation of 2-[3,5- bis(N-trimellitimidoyl)phenyl]benzoxazole (DCA) with 5-(2-benzimidazole)-1,3-phenylenediamine (DAMI) and provided the polymeric matrix with well-designed groups. The surface of ZnO NPs was functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) coupling agent to have a better dispersion and enhancing possible interactions of NPs with functional groups of polymer matrix. The amount of APS bonded to the ZnO surface was determined by thermogravimetric analysis. PAI/ZnO nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM analysis showed that the modified ZnO nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed in polymer matrix. In addition, TGA data indicated an enhancement of thermal stability of the nanocomposite compared with the neat polymer.     

New poly(amide-imide)s syntheses. XVII. Preparation and properties of poly(amide-imide)s derived from 3,3-Bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]phthalimidine and various bis(trimellitimide)s

A series of novel bis(phenoxy)phthalimidine-containing poly(amide-imide)s III were synthesized by the direct polycondensation of 3,3-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]phthalimidine (BAPP) with various aromatic bis(trimellitimide)s in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. Poly(amide-imide)s III , having inherent viscosities up to 1.36 dL/g, were obtained in quantitative yields. All resulting polymers showed an amorphous nature and were readily soluble in polar solvents such as NMP and N,N-dimethylacetamide. All the soluble poly(amide-imide)s afforded transparent, flexible, and tough films. The glass transition temperatures of these polymers were in the range of 267–322°C and the 10% weight loss temperatures were above 490°C in nitrogen. Some properties of poly(amide-imide)s III were compared with those of the corresponding isomeric poly(amide-imide)s III′ prepared from 3,3-[4-(4-trimellitimidophenoxy)phenyl]-phthalimidine and various aromatic diamines. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

New poly(amide-lmide)s syntheses. XV. Preparation and properties of poly(amide-imide)s derived from 9, 9-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy) phenyl]fluorene and various bis(trimellitimide)s

Fifteen bis(phenoxy) fluorene-containing poly(amide-imide)s III were synthesized by the direct polycondensation of 9,9-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]fluorene (BAPPF) with var-ious aromatic bis(trimellitimide)s II in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. Poly(amide-imide)s III having inherent vis-cosities up to 1.45 dL/g were obtained in quantitative yields. Most of the resulting polymers showed an amorphous nature and were readily soluble in polar solvents such as NMP and N,N-dimethylacetamide. All the soluble poly(amide-imide)s afforded transparent, flexible, and tough films. The glass transition temperatures of these polymers were in the range of 263–315°C and the 10% weight loss temperatures were above 510°C in nitrogen. Some properties of poly(amide-imide)s III were compared with those of the corresponding isomeric poly(amide-imide)s III ′ prepared from 9,9-[4-(4-trimellitimidophenoxy)phenyl]fluorene and various aromatic diamines. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

New fluorinated aromatic poly(ether-amide)s derived from 2,2′-bis(3,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether and various dicarboxylic acids

A new class of highly fluorinated aromatic poly(ether-amide)s was prepared through triphenyl phosphite-activated polycondensation of 2,2′-bis(3,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether (FPAPE) and four dicarboxylic acid comonomers. All the resulting polymers were thoroughly characterized by FT-IR, UV, and NMR spectroscopic methods. The effects of the fluorine atoms directly linked to the lateral phenyl rings as well as fluoro-containing phenyl groups attached to the macromolecular chains on some properties of the polymers were investigated by comparing with poly(ether-amide)s prepared from 4,4′-oxydianiline (4,4′-ODA) and 2,2′-diphenyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether (PAPE). The FPAPE-derived polymers exhibited excellent solubility in a variety of organic solvents. Results obtained from X-ray studies showed that the presence of the bulky fluoro-containing phenyl groups attached to the chains disrupts their structural order in a great amount, and leads to a decrease in crystallinity extent of the macromolecules. Furthermore, the highly fluorinated polymeric chains showed a significant enhancement in organo-solubility, heat-stability and T_g values when compared to their non-fluorinated counterparts.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(amideimide)s containing pendent flexible alkoxy chains

A series of aromatic diacylhydrazides containing pendent flexible alkoxy chains, viz., 5-butyloxyisophthalicacid dihydrazide, 5-octyloxyisophthalicacid dihydrazide, 5-dodecyloxyisophthalicacid dihydrazide and 5-hexadecyloxyisophthalicacid dihydrazide were synthesized by the hydrazinolysis reaction of the corresponding aromatic esters with hydrazine hydrate. Diacylhydrazides were each polycondensed with aromatic dianhydrides, viz., 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA), 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) to obtain new poly(amideimide)s. Poly(amideimide)s had inherent viscosity in the range 0.55-0.88 dL/g in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) at 30 ± 0.1 °C. Poly(amideimide)s were found to be soluble in DMAc, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) and pyridine and could be cast into tough, flexible and transparent films from a solution in DMAc. X-ray diffractograms revealed that poly(amideimide)s with longer alkoxy chains had layered structures. Glass transition temperature of poly(amideimide)s containing pendent flexible alkoxy chains were in the range 215-245 °C. Temperature at 10% weight loss was in the range 380-410 °C in nitrogen atmosphere indicating good thermal stability of poly(amideimide)s.     

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