Abstract: | Poly(metal phthalocyanine)imides of copper, cobalt, nickel, and zinc were synthesized by the reaction of metal phthalocyanino tetramines with benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride. These polymers were characterized by elemental analyses and IR, TGA, and inherent viscosity studies. Noteworthy features of these phthalocyanine polymers are their remarkable thermal and thermooxidative stabilities with char yields at 800°C that range from 78 to 83% in a nitrogen atmosphere. The relative thermal stabilities of these polymers have been evaluated by activation energy measurements. |