Synthesis and properties of fluorinated polyimides based on 1,4‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)‐2,5‐di‐tert‐butylbenzene and various aromatic dianhydrides

A novel fluorinated diamine monomer, 1,4‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)‐2,5‐di‐tert‐butylbenzene (2), was prepared through the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2‐chloro‐5‐nitrobenzotrifluoride and 2,5‐di‐tert‐butylhydroquinone in the presence of potassium carbonate, followed by catalytic reduction with hydrazine and Pd/C. Fluorinated polyimides (5a–5f) were synthesized from diamine 2 and various aromatic dianhydrides (3a–3f) via thermal or chemical imidization. These polymers had inherent viscosities of 0.77–1.01 dL/g. The 5 series polyimides were soluble in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, N,N‐dimethylacetamide, and N,N‐dimethylformamide and were even soluble in dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, and dichloromethane. 5(C) showed cutoff wavelengths between 363 and 404 nm and yellowness index (b*) values of 6.5–40.2. The polyimide films had tensile strengths of 93–114 MPa, elongations to break of 9–12%, and initial moduli of 1.7–2.1 GPa. The glass‐transition temperatures were 255–288 °C. The temperatures of 10% weight loss were all above 460 °C in air or nitrogen atmospheres. In comparison with a nonfluorinated polyimide series based on 1,4‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)‐2,5‐di‐tert‐butylbenzene, the 5 series showed better solubility and lower color intensity, dielectric constants, and moisture absorption.