Thianthrene‐containing polyimides with monomer formation via nucleophilic aromatic substitution

Thianthrene‐2,3,7,8‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride was synthesized via nucleophilic aromatic substitution of N‐phenyle‐4,5‐dichlorophthalimide with thiobenzamide, thioacetamide, and sodium sulfide. This monomer was then polymerized with aromatic diamines by the con‐ventional low temperature technique in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) to yield soluble poly(amic acid)s. Polyimides were obtained by thermal cyclization of the poly(amic acid) films. Polymers obtained formed creasable thin films and had excellent thermal stability in air and nitrogen. The bent thianthrene structure limited crystallization and chain packing, as indicated by x‐ray analysis. The amorphous thianthrene‐containing polyimides were only soluble in H2SO4.