N,N'-bis(substituted phenyl)-1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic-1,2:4,5-diimides

The preparation of N,N'-bis(substituted phenyl)-1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic-1,2:4,5-di-imides by the reaction of 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic-1,2:4,5-dianhydride ( 1 ) with aryl-amines and with aryl isocyanates is described. Correlations are made between the properties of these diimides and the nature and position of the substituents in the phenyl ring. The condensation of dianhydride 1 with diisocyanates yields polymers varying from soft elastomers to tough films, depending upon the amount of imide structure in the polymer chain.