Synthesis and characterization of organosoluble polyetherimides with bulky triaryl imidazole moiety: Study of photophysical properties and kinetic of thermal degradation

Novel fluorescent polyetherimides containing bulky triaryl imidazole pendant and ether linkage in the main chains were prepared from a diamine, 2,2-phenoxy-bis[4-amino-2(4,5-diphenyl-2H-imidazole-2-yl)]propane, and commercially available dianhydrides. All the resulting polymers were amorphous with inherent viscosities ranged from 0.45 to 0.75 dl/g and were readily soluble in many organic solvents which could be solution-cast into transparent and tough films. They had useful levels of thermal stability associated with relatively high T _g (245?C254°C), 10% weight loss temperatures in excess of 500°C, and char yields at 600°C in air up to 62%. These polymers exhibited strong UV-vis absorption maxima in solution and in solid state. Photoluminescence efficiency of the polyetherimides was affected by their chemical structure with quantum yields in the range 10?C28%.