Synthesis and evaluation of novel polyimides derived from spirobichroman diether anhydride

Abstract

A spirobichroman structure-containing diether anhydride (SBCDA), 6,6′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)-4,4,4′,4′,7,7′-hexamethyl-2,2′-spirobichroman dianhydride, was prepared by the nucleophilic nitrodisplacement of 4-nitrophthalonitrile with the phenolate ion of 6,6′-dihydroxy-4,4,4′,4′,7,7′-hexamethyl-2,2′-spirobichroman, followed by alkaline hydrolysis of the intermediate tetranitrile and dehydration of the resulting tetraacid. A series of high molecular weight poly(ether imide)s with inherent viscosities between 0.45 and 1.28 dL/g were synthesized from SBCDA and various aromatic diamines via a conventional two-stage procedure that included ring-opening polyaddition in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) to give poly(amic acid)s, followed by thermal cyclization to poly(ether imide)s. The intermediate poly(amic acid)s had inherent viscosities of 0.70–1.50 dL/g. Except for the poly(ether imide) obtained from p-phenylenediamine, the other poly(ether imide)s were soluble in various organic solvents and could be solution-cast into transparent, flexible, and tough films. These poly(ether imide)s had glass transition temperatures in the range 175–262°C and showed no significant decomposition below 420°C, with 10% weight loss being recorded above 446°C in nitrogen or air. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 2801–2809, 1997