Synthesis and characterization of soluble polyimides from 2,2-bis(4-aminophenyl)cycloalkane derivatives

New aromatic diamines [(1) and (2)] containing polycycloalkane structures between two benzene rings were synthesized by HCl-catalyzed condensation reaction of aniline hydrochloride and corresponding polycycloalkanone derivatives. The structures of diamines were identified by H-1-NMR, C-13-NMR, FTIR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The polyimides were synthesized from the obtained diamines with various aromatic dianhydrides by one-step polymerization in m-cresol. The inherent viscosities of the resulting polyimides were in the range of 0.34-1.02 dL/g. The polyimides showed good thermal stabilities and solubility. All the polymers were readily soluble in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, m-cresol, tetrachloroethane, etc. Some of them were soluble even in chloroform at room temperature. The glass transition temperatures were observed in the range of 323-363 degrees C, and all of the polymers were stable up to 400 degrees C under nitrogen atmosphere. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.