Synthesis and properties of new naphthyl-pendent aromatic polyimides from 1-[di(4-aminophenyl)amino]-naphthalene and aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides

New naphthyl-pendent aromatic polyimides having inherent viscosities of 0.40-0.93 dl g(-1) were synthesized from 1-[di(4-aminophenyl)amino]naphthalene and various aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides by the conventional two-step procedure that included ring-opening polyaddition giving polyamic acids and subsequent thermal cyclodehydration. Almost all of the naphthyl-pendent polyimides were readily soluble on heating in organic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, and m-cresol. Some polyimides gave flexible and tough films with good tensile properties. The glass transition temperatures and 10% weight loss temperatures of the polyimides were in the ranges of 297-319 degreesC and 530-560 degreesC, respectively, in nitrogen.