Synthesis and properties of organosoluble poly(ether imide)s containing 4,4?(octahydro-4,7-methano-5H-inden-5-ylidene) cardo group

A series of organosoluble aromatic poly(ether imide)s (PEIs) VIIa-k were synthesized from 4,4′-[(octahydro-4,7-methano-5H-inden-5-ylidene)bis(1,4-phenylene)dioxy] diphthalic dianhydride (IV) and various aromatic diamines. PEIs synthesized through two-stage polymerization had inherent viscosities of 0.51–0.64 dL/g. This series of polymers could also be synthesized from IV and diamines in a small amount of refluxing m-cresol in a one-step process and had inherent viscosities of 0.65–0.87 dL/g. For the low melting point diamines (Vj and Vk), polymers could be obtained by bulk polymerization and had inherent viscosities of 0.36 and 0.41 dL/g. Polymers showed good organosolubility and could be cast into transparent, flexible, and tough polyimide films with good tensile properties. These PEIs had glass transition temperatures among 203–281°C. Thermogravimetric analyses established that these polymers were fairly stable up to 430°C, and the 10% weight loss temperatures were recorded in the range of 473–503°C in nitrogen and 481–512°C in air atmosphere.