Polyimides derived from 1,4‐bis [3‐oxy‐( N ‐aminophthalimide)] benzene

A novel diamine, 1,4‐bis [3‐oxy‐( N ‐aminophthalimide)] benzene (BOAPIB), was synthesized from 1,4‐bis [3‐oxy‐( N ‐phenylphthalimide)] benzene and hydrazine. Its structure was determined via IR, 1 H NMR, and elemental analysis. A series of five‐member ring, hydrazine‐based polyimides were prepared from this diamine and various aromatic dianhydrides via one‐step polycondensation in p ‐chlorophenol. The inherent viscosities of these polyimides were in the range of 0.17–0.61 dL/g. These polymers were soluble in polar aprotic solvents and phenols at room temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the 5% weight‐loss temperatures of the polyimides were near 450°C in air and 500°C in nitrogen. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) indicated that the glass‐transition temperatures ( T g s) of these polymers were in the range of 265–360°C. The wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction showed that all the polyimides were amorphous. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009