Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Processable and Flexible Polyimides Containing 3,6-Di(4-carboxyphenyl)pyromellitic Dianhydride

A series of six novel polyimides containing 3,6-di(4-carboxyphenyl)pyromellitic dianhydride were synthesized via two steps condensation method. Aromatic diamines monomers, 4-(4-aminophenoxy)-N-(4-(4-aminophenoxy)benzylidene)-3-chloroaniline (DA1), 4-(4-amino-3-methylphenoxy)-N-(4-(4-amino-3-methylphenoxy)benzylidene)-3-chloroaniline (DA2), 4-(4-amino-2-methylphenoxy)-N-(4-(4-amino-2-methylphenoxy)benzylidene)-3-chloroaniline (DA3) 4-(4-aminophenoxy)-N-(4-(4-aminophenoxy)benzylidene)-2-methylaniline (DA4), 4-(4-amino-3-methylphenoxy)-N-(4-(4-amino-3-methylphenoxy)benzylidene)-2-methylaniline (DA5), and 4-(4-amino-2-methylphenoxy)-N-(4-(4-amino-2-methylphenoxy)benzylidene)-2-methylaniline (DA6) were prepared and used to synthesize new polyimides by reaction with resynthesized 3,6-di(4-carboxyphenyl)pyromellitic dianhydride by using two-step condensation method. The inherent viscosities of polyimides range from 0.68–1.04 dL gm−1 and were soluble in polar solvents. Polyimides have excellent thermal stability by showing 10% weight loss temperature was above 450°C. Their glass transition temperatures lie in the range of 250–335°C. Wide-angle X-ray diffractometer investigations revealed the amorphous nature of polyimides. Therefore, these polymers can be a potential candidate as processable high performance polymeric materials