Synthesis and characterization of novel aromatic poly(amide‐imide)s derived from 2,2′‐bis(4‐trimellitimidophenoxy)biphenyl or 2,2′‐bis(4‐trimellitimidophenoxy)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl and various aromatic diamines

New aromatic diimide‐dicarboxylic acids having kinked and cranked structures, 2,2′‐bis(4‐trimellitimidophenoxy)biphenyl (2a) and 2,2′‐bis(4‐trimellitimidophenoxy)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl (2b), were synthesized by the reaction of trimellitic anhydride with 2,2′‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)biphenyl (1a) and 2,2′‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl (1b), respectively. Compounds 2a and 2b were characterized by FT‐IR and NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. Then, a series of novel aromatic poly(amide‐imide)s were prepared by the phosphorylation polycondensation of the synthesized monomers with various aromatic diamines. Owing to structural similarity, and a comparison of the characterization data, a model compound was synthesized by the reaction of 2b with aniline. The resulting polymers with inherent viscosities of 0.58–0.97 dl g −1 were obtained in high yield. The polymers were fully characterized by FT‐IR and NMR spectroscopy. The ultraviolet λ max values of the poly(amide‐imide)s were also determined. The polymers were readily soluble in polar aprotic solvents. They exhibited excellent thermal stabilities and had 10% weight loss at temperatures above 500 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry