| Abstract: | A series of aromatic polyimide-co-amides of high thermal stability were synthesized. Low-temperature solution condensation involving aromatic diamines of varying basicity and bifunctional carboxylic acid chlorides containing performed imide rings was empolyed. This approach offers several advantages over the conventional polyamic acid route. The final polymers obtained are linear, soluble, and of high molecular weight. Solution of the final polymers are stable in contrast to polyamic acid solutions, which depolymerize hydrolytically due to the neighboring-group effect. Tough, flexible films were cast from solution and required no heat cure. The properties of one polymer made by the preformed ring approach were compared to its structurally related amide and imide homologs. |
