Abstract: | Compounds in the N-methylolimide group reacted smoothly with amines in the presence of water to yield the corresponding condensation products. Polycondensations of bismethylolimides, N,N′-bismethylolpyromellitic diimide, and N,N′-bismethylolbenzophenonetetracarboxylic diimide, with amines such as aromatic diamines, piperazine, and n-butylamine, were carried out in DMAc that contained 1% water to produce linear polyamine-imides. The polyamine-imides assumed various colors, from very pale yellow to deep purple, and had inherent viscosities in the 0.07–0.37-dl/g range. Most of these polymers were soluble in polar solvents such as DMAc and DMSO. The thermal stability of the polymers was examined by thermogravimetric analysis; decomposition started at 210–350°C and weight residue at 500°C was 22–85% in air. |