SYNTHESIS AND IMIDIZATION OF POLY(AMIC METHYL ESTER)S

The synthesis and characterization of a series of poly(amic methyl est er)s from five aromatic dianhydrides and a diamine, 4,4'-oxydianiline (ODA), are described. These poly(amic ester)s are obtained by the low- temperature polycondensation from dianhydrides derived diester-diacyl chlorides and ODA in DMAc solution with the inherent viscosities in th e 0.5-0.9 dL/g range. These precursors are readily soluble in aprotic solvents. A detailed thermal study of the imidization process is prese nted, based on dynamic and isothermal TGA measurements, FTIR spectrosc opy, and dynamic mechanical analysis. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.