MELT-PROCESSABLE POLY(ETHER IMIDE)S BASED ON CATECHOL BIS(ETHER ANHYDRIDE)

Having previously demonstrated the possibility of synthesizing high mo lecular weight poly(ether imide)s with ortho-linked main-chain units f rom bis(ether anhydride)s derived from catechol or its derivatives, we now provide a preliminary assessment of the properties of the polymer s prepared from the catechol bis(ether anhydride) and a variety of dia mines. The polymers have low color, are soluble in a variety of solven ts, and are thermally stable to temperatures in excess of 470 degrees C. Glass transition temperatures are comparable with or higher than th at of the commercial poly(ether imide) Ultem. Solvent-cast films have high modului and strengths. Extensions to break are relatively low, ex cept for the polymer based on 4,4'-bis(4-aminophenoxy)biphenyl, which has an extension of 170%. All the polymers can be drawn to produce mat erials with higher moduli and strengths and, in most cases, higher ext ensions to break. Thus the polymers can be processed from the melt or from solution.