A series of novel poly(aryl prehnitimide)s based on diphenylprehnitic
dianhydride (5,6-diphenylbenzene-1,2,3,4-tetracarboxylic dianhydride)
are synthesized and characterized. Polyimides having intrinsic viscosi
ties of 0.45-1.81 dL/g in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone were obtained by on
e-step solution polymerization in m-cresol. These polyimides are readi
ly soluble in many common organic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetami
de, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, dimethyl sulfoxide, and N,N-dimethylform
amide. The poly(aryl prehnitimide) derived from m-phenylenediamine is
also very soluble in tetrahydrofuran, pyridine, and chloroform. Glass
transition temperatures were in the range of 362-443 degrees C, as det
ermined by differential scanning calorimetry and thermomechanical anal
ysis. Degradation temperatures for 5% weight loss occurred all above 4
83 degrees C in nitrogen and 449 degrees C in air. Young's moduli of t
hin films for some polyimides ranged from 2.07 to 3.94 GPa as assessed
by thermomechanical analysis.