Fluorine-19 NMR analyses allowed to obtain kinetic data about bicyclo[2.2.2
]oct-7-ene dianhydrides thermal imidization. It was evidenced that the high
reactivity of such a substrate is owing to the combined effects of bifunct
ionality and ethenylene bridge. This latter effect is inhibited by the pres
ence of an electron-withdrawing group on the double bond. A basic solvent (
NMP) does favor the amic acid intermediate formation; an acidic solvent (m-
cresol) does accelerate the amic acid cyclization to imide, (C) 1999 Elsevi
er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.