PREPARATION OF POLYIMIDES VIA THE PALLADIUM-CATALYZED CARBONYLATION AND CONDENSATION OF TETRAIODOAROMATICS AND DIAMINES

Several polyimides were prepared by the palladium-catalyzed carbonylation and condensation of tetraiodoaromatic compounds and diamines. This new reaction for preparing polyimides was verified in model compound work to be an efficient, high yield route to cyclic imides. Since fully imidized groups are formed during the polymerization, it was necessary to limit the diamines to those that would impart solubility to the polymer. In contrast to the model compound work, the polymerization reaction yielded an appreciable concentration of amide functional groups due to incomplete cyclization and/or branching reactions. Thermal characterization of the polyimides formed by this process is reported.