Synthesis and characterization of novel aromatic poly(amide-imide)s derived from 2,2′-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy)biphenyl or 2,2′-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl and various aromatic diamines

New aromatic diimide-dicarboxylic acids having kinked and cranked structures, 2,2'-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy)biphenyl (2a) and 2,2'-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy)-1,1'-binaphthyl (2b), were synthesized by the reaction of trimellitic anhydride with 2,2'-bis(4-aminophenoxy)biphenyl (la) and 2,2'-bis(4-aminophenoxy)-1,1'-binaphthyl (1b), respectively. Compounds 2a and 2b were characterized by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. Then, a series of novel aromatic poly(amide-imide)s were prepared by the phosphorylation polycondensation of the synthesized monomers with various aromatic diamines. Owing to structural similarity, and a comparison of the characterization data, a model compound was synthesized by the reaction of 2b with aniline. The resulting polymers with inherent viscosities of 0.58-0.97 dl g(-1) were obtained in high yield. The polymers were fully characterized by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. The ultraviolet lambda(max) values of the poly(amide-imide)s were also determined. The polymers were readily soluble in polar aprotic solvents. They exhibited excellent thermal stabilities and had 10% weight loss at temperatures above 500degreesC under a nitrogen atmosphere. (C) 2003 Society of Chemical Industry.