Transparent poly(amide‐imide)s containing alicyclic and tri‐fluoromethyl groups

We report transparent and soluble poly(amide‐imide)s with high glass transition temperature ( T g ) synthesized from alicyclic diacid monomer containing trifluoromethyl groups. The good solubility of the polymers in polar aprotic solvents allows solvent casting of transparent polymer films having good transparency. We found that the alicyclic units, together with trifluoromethyl groups, between imide and amide bonds in the polymer main chains were critical for improving the optical properties of aromatic polymers. The transparent films exhibit good thermal properties, even with alicyclic units, due to hydrogen bonding along the main chain.