Synthesis and characterization of novel thermally stable and optically active poly(amide‐imide)s derived from N,N′‐(4,4′‐diphthaloyl)‐bis‐L‐leucine diacid and aromatic diamines

A new diacid containing optically active functional groups, N,N′‐(4,4′‐diphthaloyl)‐bis‐L ‐leucine diacid ( 3 ), was synthesized and used in a preparation of a series of poly(amide‐imide)s (PAIs) by direct polycondensation with various aromatic diamines in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NMP). All polymers derived from diacid ( 3 ) were highly organosoluble in the solvents like N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone, N,N‐dimethylacetamide, N,N‐dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, tetrahydrofuran, γ‐butyrolactone, cyclohexanone, and chloroform at room temperature or upon heating. Inherent viscosities of the PAIs were found to range between 0.34 and 0.61·dL g^?1. All the PAIs afforded flexible and tough films. The glass‐transition temperatures of these PAIs were recorded between 212 and 237°C by differential scanning calorimetry, and the 10% weight loss temperatures were ranging from 372 to 393°C and 336–372°C under nitrogen and air, respectively. The polyimide films had a tensile strength in the range of 63–88 MPa and a tensile modulus in the range of 1.2–1.7 GPa. Optically active PAIs exhibited specific rotations in the range of ?10.58° to ?38.70°. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

An investigation of cure and thermal stability of poly(amide‐amidic acid) modified tetraglycidyl 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane/4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone

In this work, poly(amide‐amidic acid) (PAA) was used to modify tetraglycidyl 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane (TGDDM)/4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) system. Results of non‐isothermal differential scanning calorimetry analysis indicated that PAA played a role of catalyst during the process of the curing reaction. The curing mechanism was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, showing that the PAA acted as a co‐curing agent in the system. The glass transition temperature decreased firstly and then increased with the increase of the PAA content. PAA equally rendered TGDDM more fire resistant with higher char yield. On examining the fracture surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy, it was observed that there was no obvious phase separation when the content of PAA was less than 20 phr (per hundred weight of TGDDM/DDS resin), however, phase separation was observed when the content of PAA was 25 and 30 phr. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Synthesis of new poly(amide–imide)s derived from trimellitylimido‐L‐phenylalanine

N‐Trimellitylimido‐L ‐phenylalanine was prepared from the reaction of 1,2,4‐benzenetricarboxylic anhydride with L ‐phenylalanine in N,N‐dimethylformamide solution at refluxing temperature. The direct polycondensation reaction of the monomer imide‐diacid with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone, 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane, 1,4‐phenylenediamine, 1,3‐phenylenediamine, 2,4‐diaminotoluene, 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylether and benzidine was carried out in a medium consisting of triphenyl phosphite, N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, pyridine and calcium chloride. The resulting poly(amide–imide)s, PAIs, having inherent viscosities of 0.21–0.45 dlg^?1 were obtained in high yield. All of the above compounds were fully characterized by IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The optical rotation of all PAIs has also been measured. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these new optically active PAIs are reported. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and properties of poly(amide–imide)s based on N,N′‐bis(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4′‐oxydiphthalimide,p‐aminobenzoic acid and various aromatic diamines

A new diimide–diacid monomer, N,N′‐bis(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4′‐oxydiphthalimide (I), was prepared by azeotropic condensation of 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) and p‐aminobenzoic acid (p‐ABA) at a 1:2 molar ratio in a polar solvent mixed with toluene. A series of poly(amide–imide)s (PAI, III_a–m) was synthesized from the diimide–diacid I (or I′, diacid chloride of I) and various aromatic diamines by direct polycondensation (or low temperature polycondensation) using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. It was found that only III_k–m having a meta‐structure at two terminals of the diamine could afford good quality, creasable films by solution‐casting; other PAIs III using diamine with para‐linkage at terminals were insoluble and crystalline; though III_g–i contained the soluble group of the diamine moieties, their solvent‐cast films were brittle. In order to improve their to solubility and film quality, copoly(amide–imide)s (Co‐PAIs) based on I and mixtures of p‐ABA and aromatic diamines were synthesized. When on equimolar of p‐ABA (m = 1) was mixed, most of Co‐PAIs IV had improved solubility and high inherent viscosities in the range 0.9–1.5 dl g^?1; however, their films were still brittle. With m = 3, series V was obtained, and all members exhibited high toughness. The solubility, film‐forming ability, crystallinity, and thermal properties of the resultant poly(amide–imide)s were investigated. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Thermal and morphology characterization study of bio‐active poly(amide‐imide)‐based nanocomposites reinforced with modified SiO2 nanoparticle with poly(vinyl alcohol)

Among the nanoparticles (NPs), the amorphous SiO₂ NPs are very useable, because of their important characteristics for different applications, such as mechanical performance, thermal properties, and biodegradability effects. For this manifest features SiO₂ NPs were used as filler in this study. Firstly, these NPs were modified with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Then, the poly(amide‐imide) (PAI) was synthesized from reaction between N‐trimellitylimido‐l ‐methionine and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylether in the presence of ionic liquid and triphenyl phosphite. Next, the modified SiO₂ NPs with PVA (SiO₂‐PVA) were incorporated into the PAI matrix for the preparation of PAI‐SiO₂‐PVA nanocomposites (PSiPNs). Finally, the resulting SiO₂‐PVA and PSiPNs were characterized by different analyses like field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TGA showed high thermal stability of the obtained PSiPNs compared to the pure PAI. POLYM. COMPOS. 37:1231–1237, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation and characterization of new optically active poly(amide‐imide)s derived from N,N‐(4,4′‐Oxydiphthaloyl)‐bis‐(s)‐(+)‐valine diacid chloride and aromatic diamines

4,4′‐Oxydiphthalic anhydride (1) was reacted with (s)‐(+)‐valine (2) in acetic acid and the resulting imide‐acid 3 was obtained in high yield. This compound 3 was converted to diacid chloride 4 by reaction with excess amount of thionyl chloride. The polycondensation reaction of diacid chloride 4 with several aromatic diamines such as 4,4′‐sulfonyldianiline (5a), 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl methane (5b), 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylether (5c), p‐phenylenediamine (5d), m‐phenylenediamine (5e), and 4,4′‐diaminobiphenyl (5f) was performed by two conventional methods: low temperature solution polycondensation and a short period reflux conditions. To compare conventional solution polycondensation reaction methods with microwave‐assisted polycondensation, the reactions were also carried out under microwave conditions in the presence of small amount of o‐cresol that acts as a primary microwave absorber. The reaction mixture was irradiated for 4 min with 100% of radiation power. Several new optically active poly(amide‐imide)s with inherent viscosity ranging from 0.26–0.44 dL/g were obtained with high yield. All of the above polymers were fully characterized by ¹H‐NMR, FTIR, elemental analyses, and specific rotation techniques. Some structural characterizations and physical properties of these new optically active poly (amide‐imide)s are reported. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 46:558–565, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis of novel poly(amide‐imide)s containing trimellitylimido‐DL/L‐alanine moieties via direct polycondensation

N‐Trimellitylimido‐DL and L ‐alanine ( 3 ) were prepared from the reaction of trimellitic anhydride ( 1 ) with DL and L ‐alanine ( 2 ) in N,N‐dimethyl formamide (DMF) solution at refluxing temperature. The direct polycondensation reaction of the monomers imide‐diacid ( 3 ) with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone ( 4a ), 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane ( 4b ), 1,4‐phenylenediamine ( 4c ), 1,3‐phenylenediamine ( 4d ), 2,4‐diaminotoluene ( 4e ), and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylether ( 4f ) was carried out in a medium consisting of triphenyl phosphite, N‐methyl‐2‐pyrolidone (NMP), pyridine, and calcium chloride. The resulting poly(amide‐imide)s PAIs, with inherent viscosities 0.32–0.66 dL/g, were obtained in high yield. All of the above‐mentioned compounds were fully characterized by IR, elemental analyses, and specific rotation. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these new optically active PAI s are reported. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 1312–1318, 2001     

Processing of continuous poly(amide‐imide) nanofibers by electrospinning

Continuous poly(amide‐imide) nanofibers were fabricated using a novel electrospinning method with rotating and re‐collecting cylindrical collectors. The nanofilaments were modified using various post‐treatments, i.e. glycerol treatment and thermal imidization under tension, for possible application as high‐performance reinforcements. Morphological and mechanical properties of continuous poly(amide‐imide) nanofibers prepared by the electrospinning process and various post‐treatments were measured. Severe adhesion between individual nanofibers within fiber bundles was inhibited through surface treatment of the electrospun nanofiber bundles by spraying with glycerol. The morphological and mechanical properties of the continuous poly(amide‐imide) nanofibers and thermal stability were improved using thermal imidization at high temperature under tension. The morphological and mechanical properties of the continuous electrospun nanofibers were improved significantly by post‐treatments after electrospinning because uniform and complete thermal imidization occurred through the core region of the nanofibers. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Facile synthesis of novel optically active poly(amide‐imide)s containing N,N′‐(pyromellitoyl)‐bis‐l‐phenylalanine diacid chloride and 5,5‐disubstituted hydantoin derivatives under microwave irradiation

Pyromellitic dianhydride (1,2,4,5‐benzenetetracarboxylic acid 1,2,4,5‐dianhydide) (1) was reacted with L‐phenylalanine (2) in a mixture of acetic acid and pyridine (3 : 2) at room temperature, then was refluxed at 90–100°C and N,N′‐(Pyromellitoyl)‐bis‐L ‐phenylalanine diacid (3) was obtained in quantitative yield. The imide‐acid (3) was converted to N,N′‐(Pyromellitoyl)‐bis‐L ‐phenylalanine diacid chloride (4) by reaction with thionyl chloride. Rapid and highly efficient synthesis of poly(amide‐imide)s (6a–f) was achieved under microwave irradiation by using a domestic microwave oven from the polycondensation reactions of N,N′‐(Pyromellitoyl)‐bis‐L ‐phenylalanine diacid chloride (4) with six different derivatives of 5,5‐disubstituted hydantoin compounds (5a–f) in the presence of a small amount of a polar organic medium that acts as a primary microwave absorber. Suitable organic media was o‐cresol. The polycondensation proceeded rapidly, compared with the conventional melt polycondensation and solution polycondensation, and was almost completed within 10 min, giving a series of poly(amide‐imide)s with inherent viscosities about 0.28–0.44 dL/g. The resulting poly(amide‐imide)s were obtained in high yield and are optically active and thermally stable. All of the above compounds were fully characterized by means of FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, inherent viscosity (η_inh), solubility test and specific rotation. Thermal properties of the poly(amide‐imide)s were investigated using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 516–524, 2004     

Novel optically active poly(amide‐imide)s with tetrahydropyrimidinone and tetrahydro‐2‐thioxopyrimidine moieties by microwave‐assisted polycondensation

Rapid and highly efficient synthesis of novel poly(amide‐imide)s (PAIs) were achieved under microwave irradiation by using a domestic microwave oven from the polycondensation reactions of 4,4′‐carbonyl‐bis(phthaloyl‐L ‐alanine) diacid chloride [N,N′‐(4,4′‐carbonyldiphthaloyl)] bisalanine diacid chloride (1) with six different derivatives of tetrahydropyrimidinone and tetrahydro‐2‐thioxopyrimidine compounds (2a–2f) in the presence of a small amount of a nonpolar organic medium that acts as a primary microwave absorber. Suitable organic media was o‐cresol. The polycondensation proceeded rapidly and was almost completed within 10 min, giving a series of PAIs with inherent viscosities of about 0.25–0.45 dL/g. The resulting PAIs were obtained in high yield and are optically active and thermally stable. All of the above compounds were fully characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analyses, inherent viscosity (η_inh), solubility test, and specific rotation. Thermal properties of the PAIs were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2416–2421, 2001     

Preparation and characterization of novel optically active poly(amide‐imide)/α‐Fe2O3 nanocomposites containing l‐alanine moieties

An optically active poly(amide‐imide) (PAI) was synthesized from the polymerization reaction of N,N′‐(Pyromellitoyl)‐bis‐l ‐alanine diacid chloride with 2,5‐diaminotoluene. The obtained inorganic metal oxide nanocomposites composed of PAI/nanostructured hematite (α‐Fe₂O₃) were synthesized through ultrasonic irradiation. The resulting nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The TEM results indicated that the nanoparticles were dispersed homogeneously in PAI matrix on nanoscale. TGA confirmed that the heat stability of the nanocomposites was improved in the presence of α‐Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1805–1811, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Microwave‐assisted polycondensation of 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)‐N,N′‐bis(phthaloyl‐L‐leucine) diacid chloride with aromatic diols

A new facile and rapid polycondensation reaction of 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)‐N,N′‐bis(phthaloyl‐L ‐leucine) diacid chloride (1) with several aromatic diols such as phenol phthalein (2a), bis phenol‐A (2b), 4,4′‐hydroquinone (2c), 1,4‐dihydroxyanthraquinone (2d), 1,8‐dihydroxyanthraquinone (2e), 1,5‐dihydroxy naphthalene (2f), dihydroxy biphenyl (2g), and 2,4‐dihydroxyacetophenone (2h) was performed by using a domestic microwave oven in the presence of a small amount of a polar organic medium such as o‐cresol. The polymerization reactions proceeded rapidly, compared with the conventional solution polycondensation, and was completed within 10 min, producing a series of optically active poly(ester‐imide)s with quantitative yield and high inherent viscosity of 0.50–1.12 dL/g. All of the above polymers were fully characterized by IR, elemental analyses, and specific rotation. Some structural characterization and physical properties of this optically active poly(ester‐imide)s are reported. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 3003–3009, 2000     

Incorporation of azobenzene chromophore into poly(amide‐imide)

Poly(amide‐imide)s (PAI) bearing azobenzene chromophore groups were prepared by allowing a hydroxyl‐containing azobenzene dye (Disperse Red 1) to react with and reactive‐terminated PAI with weight–average molecular weights ranging from ～ 1.2 to 2.0 × 10⁴ g/mol. Such PAI were prepared by the condensation of trimellitic anhydride (TMA) and 4,4′‐methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). The final polymers presented a deep red color, with an absorption maxima in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) solution at 490 nm, close to the azobenzene reactant used (Disperse Red 1) and molecular weights slightly higher than the pristine polymer, showing that the azo chromophore incorporation reaction does not lead to side reactions. The azofunctionalized polymer presented a high T_g value (170°C) that could be increased by a thermal curing process to 240°C. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 841–847, 2007     

Synthesis and characterization of novel poly(amide imide)s based on bis(p‐amidobenzoic acid)‐n‐trimellitylimido‐L‐leucine

N‐Trimellitylimido‐L ‐leucine was reacted with thionyl chloride, and N‐trimellitylimido‐L ‐leucine diacid chloride was obtained in a quantitative yield. The reaction of this diacid chloride with p‐aminobenzoic acid was performed in dry tetrahydrofuran, and bis(p‐amidobenzoic acid)‐N‐trimellitylimido‐L ‐leucine (5) was obtained as a novel optically active aromatic imide–amide diacid monomer in a high yield. The direct polycondensation reaction of the monomer imide–amide diacid 5 with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone, 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylether, 1,4‐phenylenediamine, 1,3‐phenylenediamine, 2,4‐diaminotoluene, and benzidine (4,4′‐diaminobiphenyl) was carried out in a medium consisting of triphenyl phosphite, N‐methyl‐2‐pyrolidone, pyridine, and calcium chloride. The resulting novel poly(amide imide)s (PAIs), with inherent viscosities of 0.22–0.52 dL g^?1, were obtained in high yields, were optically active, and had moderate thermal stability. All of the compounds were fully characterized with IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and specific rotation. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these new optically active PAIs are reported. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 35–43, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10181     

Novel organosoluble poly(amide‐imide‐imide)s synthesized from new tetraimide‐dicarboxylic acid by condensation with 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride, 1,4‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene,trimellitic anhydride,and various aromatic diamines

A new monomer of tetraimide‐dicarboxylic acid (IV) was synthesized by starting from ring‐opening addition of 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride, trimellitic anhydride, and 1,4‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene at a 1:2:2 molar ratio in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP). From this new monomer, a series of novel organosoluble poly(amide‐imide‐imide)s with inherent viscosities of 0.7–0.96 dL/g were prepared by triphenyl phosphite activated polycondensation from the tetraimide‐diacid with various aromatic diamines. All synthesized polymers were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents such as NMP and N,N‐dimethylacetamide, and most of them were soluble even in less polar m‐cresol and pyridine. These polymers afforded tough, transparent, and flexible films with tensile strengths ranging from 99 to 125 MPa, elongations at break from 12 to 19%, and initial moduli from 1.6 to 2.4 GPa. The thermal properties and stability were also good with glass‐transition temperatures of 236–276°C and thermogravimetric analysis 10 wt % loss temperatures of 504–559°C in nitrogen and 499–544°C in air. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2854–2864, 2006     

Preparation of 4,4′‐diaminostilbene‐2,2′‐disulfonic acid intercalated LDH/polypropylene nanocomposites with enhanced UV absorption property

The UV absorber 4,4′‐diaminostilbene‐2,2′‐disulfonate (DASDSA) has been successfully intercalated into an inorganic host Zn₂Al layered double hydroxide (Zn₂Al‐DASDSA LDH), which is expected to lead stabilization and protection of this thermally unstable UV absorber. Using a modified solvent mixing method, polypropylene/AMO‐Zn₂Al‐DASDSA LDH (PP/AMO‐LDH; AMO = aqueous miscible organic treated) nanocomposites were prepared using unmodified PP at various LDH loadings of 0.2–4 wt%. The characterization data indicated that AMO‐LDH nanoparticles were evenly dispersed within the PP matrix because of the excellent compatibility between PP and the AMO‐LDH. The resistance to thermal degradation of PP/AMO LDH nanocomposites was significantly increased even with very low LDH loadings. The 50% weight loss temperature (T _0.5) of PP was increased by 43°C with 4 wt% LDH. UV analysis demonstrated that adding AMO‐Zn₂Al‐DASDSA LDH could significantly enhance the UV absorption capacity of PP. For the enhancement of the photo‐stability of PP, the performance of AMO‐Zn₂Al‐DASDSA was much better than the control material Zn₂Al‐NO₃. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1937–1947, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Silica nanoparticles modified with vinyltriethoxysilane and their copolymerization with N,N′‐bismaleimide‐4,4′‐diphenylmethane

The synthesis and characterization of the vinyltriethoxysilane‐modified silica nanoparticles were investigated. It was shown that the vinyltriethoxysilane molecules had been successfully grafted onto the silica nanoparticles. The native and silane‐modified silica dispersions in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone with the total solids contents within the range 1–6 wt % exhibited dramatically different flow behaviors. The polymerization of N,N′‐bismaleimide‐4,4′‐diphenylmethane (BMI) initiated by barbituric acid in the presence of the native or vinyltriethoxysilane‐modified silica nanoparticles were then carried out in γ‐butyrolactone (total solids content = 20%). The higher the level of silica, the better the thermal stability of the BMI/silane/silica composite particles. The silane‐modified silica particles significantly improved their dispersion capability within the continuous BMI oligomer matrix. Furthermore, the degree of dispersion of the vinyltriethoxysilane‐modified silica particles in the BMI oligomer matrix decreased with the weight percentage of silica based on total solids increased from 20 to 40 wt %. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: Sci 103: 3600–3608, 2007     

Synthesis and characterization of new soluble poly(ester‐imide)s containing noncoplanar 2,2′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐biphenylene unit

A new diimide–diacid chloride (3) containing a noncoplanar 2,2′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐biphenylene unit was synthesized by treating 2,2′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐diamino‐biphenylene with trimellitic anhydride followed by refluxing with thionyl chloride. Various new poly(ester‐imide)s were prepared from 3 with different bisphenols by solution polycondensation in nitrobenzene using pyridine as hydrogen chloride quencher at 170°C. Inherent viscosities of the poly(ester‐imide)s were found to range between 0.31 and 0.35 dL g^?1. All of the poly(ester‐imide)s, except the one containing pendent adamantyl group 5e, exhibited excellent solubility in the following solvents: N,N‐dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, tetrachloroethane, dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N‐dimethylacetamide, N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone, m‐cresol, o‐chlorophenol, and chloroform. The polymers showed glass‐transition temperatures between 166 and 226°C. The 10% weight loss temperatures of the poly(ester‐imide)s, measured by TGA, were found to be in the range between 415 and 456°C in nitrogen. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2486–2493, 2004     

Highly fluorinated poly(ether‐imide)s derived from 2,2′‐bis(3,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether and aromatic dianhydrides

A new diamine, 2,2′‐bis(3,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether (FPAPE) was synthesized through the Suzuki coupling reaction of 2,2′‐diiodo‐4,4′‐dinitrodiphenyl ether with 3,4,5‐trifluorophenylboronic acid to produce 2,2′‐bis(3,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)‐4,4′‐dinitrodiphenyl ether (FPNPE), followed by palladium‐catalyzed hydrazine reduction of FPNPE. FPAPE was then utilized to prepare a novel class of highly fluorinated all‐aromatic poly(ether‐imide)s. The chemical structure of the resulting polymers is well confirmed by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic methods. Limiting viscosity numbers of the polymer solutions at 25 °C were measured through the extrapolation of the concentrations used to zero. M_n and M_w of these polymers were about 10 000 and 25 000 g mol^?1, respectively. The polymers showed a good film‐forming ability, and some characteristics of their thin films including color and flexibility were investigated qualitatively. An excellent solubility in polar organic solvents was observed. X‐ray diffraction measurements showed that the fluoro‐containing polymers have a nearly amorphous nature. The resulting polymers had T_g values higher than 340 °C and were thermally stable, with 10% weight loss temperatures being recorded above 550 °C. Based on the results obtained, FPAPE can be considered as a promising design to prepare the related high performance polymeric materials. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ambipolar and multi‐electrochromic polyimides based on N,N‐di(4‐aminophenyl)‐N′,N′‐diphenyl‐4,4′‐oxydianiline

A series of novel aromatic polyimides were synthesized from N,N‐di(4‐aminophenyl)‐N′,N′‐diphenyl‐4,4′‐oxydianiline and aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides through a conventional two‐step procedure. Most of the polyimides exhibited reasonable solubility in organic solvents and could afford robust films via solution casting. The polyimides exhibited high thermal stability, with glass transition temperatures in the range 227–273 °C and 10% weight‐loss temperatures in excess of 550 °C. All the polyimide films showed ambipolar redox and multi‐electrochromic behaviors. They exhibited two reversible oxidation redox couples at 0.94–0.98 and 1.09–1.12 V versus Ag/AgCl in acetonitrile solution. A coupling reaction between the radical cations of the pendent triphenylamine units occurred during the oxidative process forming a tetraphenylbenzidine structure which resulted in an additional redox state and color change. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry