Microwave-assisted synthesis of high-molecular-weight poly(ether imide)s by phase-transfer catalysis

A facile and rapid polycondensation reaction of disodium bisphenol A with bis(chlorophthalimide)s was preformed with a domestic microwave oven in o-dichlorobenzene by phase-transfer catalysis. The polymerization reactions, in comparison with conventional heating polycondensation, proceeded rapidly and were completed within 25 min. The polymerizations gave the corresponding poly(ether imide)s with inherent viscosities of 0.55-0.92 dL g(-1). The effects of various factors on the polymerization, such as the amount of the catalyst, the reaction time, and the microwave power were studied. The properties of the polymers were briefly characterized.

Copolymerization of dichlorodiphenylsulfone with bis(chlorophthalimide) catalyzed by NiBr2/PPh3/Zn

A new high-performance material, poly(sulfone-imide) was prepared by Ni(0)-catalyzed coupling of aromatic dichlorides containing imide structure and 4,4'-dichlorodiphenylsulfone. The copolymers were produced with high yield and moderate to high inherent viscosities of 0.52-1.13 dL/g. Wide-angle X-ray diffractograms revealed that the polymers were amorphous. Most of the polymers exhibited good solubility and could be readily dissolved in various solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone(NMP) and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc). These polysulfone-imides had glass-transition temperatures between 317 and 345 degreesC and 10% weight loss temperatures in the range of 450476 degreesC in nitrogen atmosphere. The tough polymer films, obtained by casting from cresol solution, had a tensile strength range of 21 158 MPa and a tensile modulus range of 2.1-3.3 GPa.

Polyimides from isomeric diphenylthioether dianhydrides

3,3',4,4'-Diphenylthioether dianhydride (4,4'-TDPA), 2,3,3',4'-diphenylthioether dianhydride (3,4'-TDPA), and 2,2',3,3-diphenylthioether dianhydride (3,3'TDPA) were synthesized from 3-chlorophthalic anhydride and 4-chlorophthalic anhydride. A series of polyimides derived from the isomeric diphenylthioether dianhydrides with several diamines were prepared. The properties, such as the solubility, thermal and mechanical behavior, dynamic mechanical behavior, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, and permeability to some gases, were compared among the isomeric polyimides. Both 3,3'-TDPA- and 3,4-TDPA-based polyimides had good solubility in polar aprotic solvents and phenols. The 5% weight loss temperatures of all the obtained polyimides was near 500 degrees C in nitrogen. The glass-transition temperatures decreased according to the order of the polyimides based on 3,3'-TDPA, 3,4'-TDPA, and 4,4'-TDPA. The 3,4'-TDPA-based polyimides had the best permeability and lowest permselectivity, whereas the 4,4'-TDPA-based polyimides had the highest permselectivity and the lowest permeability of the three isomers. Furthermore, the rheological properties of thermoplastic polyimide resins based on the isomeric dipbenylthioether dianhydrides were investigated, and they showed that polyimide 3,4'-TDPA/4,4-oxydianiline had the lowest melt viscosity among the isomers; this indicated that the melt processibility had been greatly improved.

Synthesis and properties of soluble polyimides based on isomeric ditrifluoromethyl substituted 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene

A new fluorinated diamine monomer, [1,4-bis(4-amino-3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene (2)], and a known isomeric analog 1,4-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene (3) were synthesized. A series of organosoluble polyimides Ia-d and IIa were prepared from the diamines (2, 3) and dianhydrides (a-d) by a high-temperature one-step method. The effects of the trifluoromethyl substituents on the properties of polyimides were evaluated through the study of their soluble, thermal, optical, and gas permeability properties. Polyimides (Ia-d) had glass transition temperatures between 229 and 279 degrees C, and the temperatures at 5% weight loss ranged from 510 to 533 degrees C under nitrogen. These polyimides could be cast into flexible and tough membranes from DMAc solutions. The membranes had tensile strengths in the range of 137-169 MPa, tensile modulus in the range of 1.6-2.2 GPa and elongations at break from 11% to 14%. The polyimide la with trifluoromethyl groups ortho to the imide nitrogen exhibited enhanced gas permeability, solubility, transparency, and thermal stability compared with the isomeric polyimide IIa with the CF3 group meta to the imide nitrogen.

Syntheses of biphenyl polyimides via nickel-catalyzed coupling polymerization of bis(chlorophthalimide)s

A facile method for the synthesis of biphenyl polyimides, which involves the nickel-catalyzed coupling of aromatic dichlorides containing imide structure in the presence of zinc and triphenylphosphine, has been developed. The polymerizations proceeded smoothly under mild conditions and produced biphenyl polyimides with inherent viscosities of 0.13-0.98 dL/g. The polymerizations of bis(4-chlorophthalimide)s with bulky side substituents gave high molecular weight polymers. Low molecular weight polymers from bis(4-chlorophthalimide)s containing rigid diamine moieties and bis(3-chlorophthalimide)s were obtained because of the formations of polymer precipitate and cyclic oligoimides, respectively. The effects of various factors, such as amount of catalyst, solvent volume, ligand, reaction temperature, and time, on the polymerization were studied. The random copolymerization of two bis(chlorophthalimide)s in varying proportions produced medium molecular weight material. The TgS of prepared polyimides were observed at 245-311 degreesC, and the thermogravimetry of polymers showed 10% weight loss in nitrogen at 470-530 degreesC.

Novel polyimides derived from 2,3,3 ',4 '-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride

A series of polyimides (PIs) based on 2,3,3',4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (2,3,3',4'-BTDA) and 3,3',4,4'-BTDA were prepared by the conventional two-step process. The properties of the 2,3,3',4'-BTDA based polyimides were compared with those of polyimides prepared from 3,3',4,4'-BTDA. It was found that PIs from 2,3,3,4'-BTDA have higher glass transition temperature and better solubility without sacrificing their thermal properties. Furthermore the theological properties of PMR-15 type polyimide resins based on 2,3,3',4'-BTDA showed lower melt viscosity and wider melt flow region (flow window) compared with those from 3,3',4,4'-BTDA. The structure-property relations resulted from isomerism were discussed.

Polyimides from isomeric oxydiphthalic anhydrides

2,2',3,3'-Oxydiphthalic dianhydride (2,2',3,3'-ODPA) and 2,3,3',4'-ODPA were synthesized from 3-chlorophthalic anhydride with 2,3-xylenol and 3,4-xylenol, respectively. Their structures were determined via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A series of polyimides derived from isomeric ODPAs with several diamines were prepared in dimethylacetamide (DMAc) with the conventional two-step method. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight spectra showed that the polymerization of 2,2',3,3'-ODPA with 4,4'-oxydianiline (ODA) has a greater trend to form cyclic oligomers than that of 2,3,3',4'-ODPA. Both 2,2',3,3'-ODPA and 2,3,3',4'-ODPA based polyimides have good solubility in polar aprotic solvents such as DMAc, dimethylformamide, and N-methylpyrrolidone. The 5% weight-loss temperatures of all polyimides were obtained near 500 degreesC in air. Their glass-transition temperatures measured by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis or differential scanning calorimetry decreased according to the order of polyimides on the basis of 2,2',3,3'-ODPA, 2,3,3',4'-ODPA, and 3,3',4,4'-ODPA. The wide-angle X-ray diffraction of all polyimide films from isomeric ODPAs and ODA showed some certain extent of crystallization after stretching. Rheological properties revealed that polyimide (2,3,3',4'-ODPA/ODA) has a comparatively lower melt viscosity than its isomers, which indicated its better melt processability.

Polyimides derived from mellophanic dianhydride

The synthesis of mellophanic dianhydride (MPDA), an isomer of pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), was studied. A trend of forming cyclic oligomers in the reactions of MPDA with 4,4'-oxydianiline (ODA) or 4,4'-methylenedianiline (MDA) in DMAC was found. The cyclic dimer from MPDA/MDA was isolated and fully characterized, including an X-ray crystallographic analysis. The reactions of MPDA with aromatic diamines were found much more complicated than those of PMDA. A model study was performed to clarify the reactions. Several byproducts were isolated and characterized, so that, in an usual two-step process to prepare polyimides, imide, amide linkage, and carboxylic group may be involved in the polymer structure. The water, either existing in solvent or being generated during the imidization, is the main reason for the side reactions. The properties of some polyimides derived from MPDA and diamines were tested and compared with those of the isomeric polyimides derived from PMDA.

Polyimides from isomeric biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydrides and the effects of chemical structure on solubility

A series of homopolyimides and copolyimides was synthesized by the solution condensation of biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) isomers and various diamines followed by chemical imidization. These polyimides had intermediate to high molecular weights with inherent viscosities of 0.34-1.01 dL/g for homopolyimides and 0.48-1.02 dL/g for copolyimides. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the aromatic polyimides were stable up to 500degreesC, and the 5% weight loss temperatures were recorded in the range of 506-597degreesC in an air atmosphere and in the range of 517-601degreesC in a nitrogen atmosphere, depending on the diamines used. The glass transition temperatures of aromatic homopolyimides were above 271degreesC, while the glass transition temperatures of the copolyimides increased with an increase in the 2, 2', 3, 3'-BPDA-component. The effects of the chemical structure of the polymer chain on the solubility were investigated. It was found that the solubility of BPDA-based polyimides could be improved by the introduction of flexible units, nonlinear and non-coplanar units, and copolymerization. The polyimides with nonlinear and non-coplanar units derived from 2, 2', 3, 3'-BPDA appeared to have prominently enhanced solubility in polar aprotic solvents and polychlorocarbons when compared with the homopolyimide derived from 3, 3', 4, 4'-BPDA.

Aromatic poly(ester imide)s and poly(amide imide)s having 1,1 '-binaphthyl-2,2 '-diyls in the main chain

Full Paper: Two new 1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diyl-based dianhydrides, i.e., 2,2'-bis(3,4-dicarboxybenzamido)-1,1'-binaphthyl dianhydride (BNDADA) and 2,2'-bis(3,4-dicarboxybenzoyloxy)-1,1'-binaphthyl dianhydride (BNDEDA), were synthesized and polymerized with various aromatic diamines to afford polyimides through the traditional two-step method. The polyimides with inherent viscosities ranging from 0.27 to 0.70 dl . g(-1) showed excellent solubilities in polar solvents such as DMAc, DMSO and NMP etc., except of the poly(ester imide) prepared from BNDEDA and benzidine. Poly(ester imide)s based on BNDEDA can also be readily dissolved in weakly polar solvents such as THF, CH2Cl2 and CHCl3. The glass transition temperatures of these polyimides are in the range of 210-310 degrees C; the 5% weight loss temperatures are in the range of 390-465 degrees C in nitrogen and 384-447 degrees c in air. These polymers from light yellow, tough films that were transparent above 365 nm. The effects of different flexible units attached in the 2- and 2'-positions, i.e., amide, ester and ether, on the properties of the polyimides obtained are discussed.

Synthesis and characterization of aromatic dianhydrides and polyesterimides derived from 4-hydroxyphthalic anhydride

4-Hydroxyphthalic anhydride, prepared from 4-chlorophthalic anhydride, was reacted with trimellitic anhydride monoacid chloride or arylene diacid chloride to give aromatic ester-containing dianhydrides (EDAs). These dianhydrides were characterized by element analysis, melt point, FTIR and H-1-NMR. A series of aromatic poly (amic ester acid)s was synthesized by polycondensation of these EDAs and various diamines in polar organic solvent. The inherent viscosity of poly (amic ester acid)s ranged from 0.55 to 0.89 dL/g, indicating the intermediate to higher molecular weight. Polyesterimides having glass transition temperatures between 184-219degreesC were produced by thermal imidization of corresponding poly (amic ester acid)s. These polymers were fairly resistant to organic solvent, but some of them were soluble in phenol solvents. Thermogravimetric analyses revealed that these polyesterimides were stable up to 400degreesC, and the 5% weight loss temperatures were recorded in the range of 432-483degreesC in air atmosphers and 451-490degreesC in nitrogen.

Gas permeability and permselectivity of polyimides prepared from phenylenediamines with methyl substitution at the ortho position

Polyimides were prepared from diamines: 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3-phenylenediamine (3MPDA) and 2,3,4,5-tetramethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (4MPDA). 1,4-Bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)benzene dianhydride (HQDPA), 3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), 3,3'-4,4'-diphenylsulphone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (SO(2)PDA), 3,3',4,4'-diphenylsulphide tetracarboxylic dianhydride (SPDA), pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), and 2,2'-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)hexa-fluoroisopropane dianhydride (6FDA) were used as dianhydride. The gas permeabilities of H-2, O-2 and N-2 through the polyimides were measured at temperatures from 30 degrees C to 90 degrees C. The results show that as methyl and trifluoromethyl substitution groups densities increase from 7.73 x 10(-3) molcm(-3) to 13.50 x 10(-3)molcm(-3), the peameability of H-2 increases 10-fold at 60% loss of permselectivity of H-2/N-2 however, the permeability of O-2 increases 20-fold at 20% loss of permselectivity of O-2/N-2. For O-2/N-2 separation, PMDA-3MPDA has similar performance to 6FDA-3MPDA and 6FDA-4MPDA; all have higher permeabilities for O-2 than normal polyimides, and the P(O-2)/alpha(O-2/N-2) trade-off relationships lie on the upper bound line for polymers. (C) 1999 Society of Chemical Industry.

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.

Synthesis and properties of optically active poly(amide-imide)s containing axially dissymmetric 1,1 '-binaphthyl moieties

Novel optically active aromatic poly(amide-imide)s (PAIs) containing 1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diyl units in the main chain were prepared by polycondensation reactions of newly synthesized dianhydride, 2,2'-bis(3,4-dicarboxylzenzamido)-1,1'-binaphthyl dianhydride[(S)-BN-DADA and (+/-)-BNDADA], with diamines, The properties of the resulted PAIs were fully characterized by a combination of investigations on inherent viscosity, thermal properties(DSC and TGA), specific rotation, CD and UV-Vis absorbance. These PAIs showed good solubilities, thermal properties and optical stabilities. Interesting UV-Vis absorption behavior of films casted from these PAIs was observed and analyzed.

Synthesis and properties of aromatic polyimides derived from 2,2,' 3,3 '-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride

2,2,'3,3' -Biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (2,2,'3,3'-BPDA) was prepared by a coupling reaction of dimethyl 3-iodophthalate. The X-ray single-crystal structure determination showed that this dianhydride had a bent and noncopolanar structure, presenting a striking contrast to its isomer, 3,3,'4,4'-BPDA. This dianhydride was reacted with aromatic diamines in a polar aprotic solvent such as N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) to form polyamic acid intermediates, which imidized chemically to polyimides with inherent viscosities of 0.34-0.55 dL/g, depending on the diamine used. The polyimides from 2,2,'3,3'-BPDA exhibited a good solubility and were dissolved in polar aprotic solvents and polychlorocarbons. These polyimides have high glass transition temperatures above 283 degrees C. Thermogravimetric analyses indicated that these polyimides were fairly stable up to 500 degrees C, and the 5% weight loss temperatures were recorded in the range of 534-583 degrees C in nitrogen atmosphere and 537-561 degrees C in air atmosphere. All polyimides were amorphous according to X-ray determination. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.