Synthesis and characterization of some new thermally stable polyimides and copolyimides bearing bipyridine side-chain groups

A new series of polyimides and copolyimides were synthesized via reaction of new bipyridine containing diamine, 4, 6-bis(4-aminophenyl)-2, 2′-bipyridine, with commercial dianhydrides. 4, 6-bis(4-aminophenyl)-2, 2′-bipyridine was synthesized starting from condensation reactions of 4-nitro acetophenone, 4-nitrobenzadehyde and pyridacyl pyridinium iodide (Krönke salt) and reduction of the desired dinitro compound. The synthesized monomer and polymers were characterized by FT-IR, NMR and CHN elemental analysis. The physical properties of the polymers, including solubility and viscosity were studied, and the results showed acceptable solubility and good chain growth for polymers. Thermal stability of these polymers was also studied by Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). The polymers start to lose weight because of thermal degradation at about 300 °C. From Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), the polymers were showed T_g between 190 and 230 °C. The morphology of these polymers was also investigated by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and the results showed only broad reflections originated from their low crystallinities.     

Synthesis and characterization of new imidazole and fluorene–bisphenol based polyamides: Thermal,photophysical and antibacterial properties

A new para-linked diether-diamine, 9,9-bis{4-[2-(4,5-diphenylimidazol-2-yl)-4-aminophenoxy] phenyl}fluorene (III), bearing fluorene–bisphenol and two ortho-linked diaryl-substituted imidazole rings were synthesized by the catalytic reduction of the nitro groups of compound (II), 9,9-bis{4-[2-(4,5-diphenylimidazol-2-yl)-4-nitrophenoxy]phenyl}fluorene, by using hydrazine monohydrate in the presence of Pd/C. Compound (II) was synthesized by the nucleophilic chloro displacement reaction of the synthesized 2-(2-chloro-5-nitrophenyl)-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole with 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene in refluxing DMAc in the presence of potassium carbonate. This diamine was condensed directly with aliphatic and aromatic diacids via the Yamazaki–Higashi phosphorylation method in the presence of triphenylphosphite (TPP), pyridine (Py) and halide salt to give high molecular polyamides (PAs). The synthesized PAs were obtained in quantitative yields with inherent viscosities between 0.51 and 0.76 dL g^?1. The structures of diamine and PAs were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy, and properties of PAs were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and UV–visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. The PAs showed good solubility in aprotic and polar organic solvents, with high thermal stability exhibiting the glass transition temperatures (T_gs) and 10% weight loss temperatures (T_10%) in the range of 226–330 °C and 400–466 °C in air, respectively, and fluorescence emission with maximum wavelengths (λ_em) in the range of 417–473 nm with quantum yields (Φ_f) of 9–35%. Two of these polymers together with compounds (II) and (III) were also screened for antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.     

Synthesis and characterization of melt-processable polyimides derived from diaminodiphenylsulfone and benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride with excellent heat resistance and thermoplasticity

Polyimide has excellent heat resistance, dielectric properties, and mechanical properties, and has a wide range of applications in aerospace, electronic packaging, and insulating materials. However, traditional polyimide is difficult to melt and dissolve, and its processing is difficult, which has become an important reason limiting its practical application. Therefore, the development of high temperature-resistant thermoplastic polyimide has become a research hotspot. To prepare high temperature-resistant thermoplastic polyimide materials, a series of thermoplastic polyimides was successfully prepared using 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 3,3′-diaminodiphenylsulfone, 2,3′,3,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 9,9-bis(4-aminophenyl)fluorene, and 2,2-bis(3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane via a two-step method. The effects of non-coplanar structure and bulky groups on the solubility, processability, and thermal properties of polyimide were studied. The structure, heat resistance and thermoplasticity of polyimide were characterized via various methods. The results show that the glass transition temperature of the prepared thermoplastic polyimide is between 292 and 302°C, and has excellent thermal resistance. The processing viscosity of polyimides is as low as 9210 Pa.s, and it has a certain degree of processing properties. It may be designed to be used in high temperature-resistant hot melt adhesives for structural components, high temperature-resistant melt processing resins, or thermoplastic composite materials used in the field of aerospace in the future.     

化学亚胺化合成含吡啶环共聚聚酰亚胺

用2,2-双[4-（4-氨基苯氧基）苯基]丙烷（BAPP）和4-苯基-2,6-双（4．氨基苯基）吡啶（PBAP）作为二胺,3,3’,4,4＇-二苯酮四酸二酐（BTDA）作为二酐,以N,N-二甲基甲酰胺（DMF）为溶剂,合成了3种聚酰亚胺。先用BAPP和PBAP同BTDA反应生成一系列聚酰胺酸（PAA）,然后将得到的PAA用化学亚胺化制备相应的聚酰亚胺。用FT-IR、^1H—NMR、粘度测试、溶解性测试和TGA对聚合物的结构和性能进行了表征。结果表明,FT—IR测试在1780cm^-1、1720cm^-1和725cm^-1左右出现了聚酰亚胺的特征吸收峰,所得聚酰胺酸的特性粘数为0．32～0．46dL／g,大部分聚酰亚胺在常见有机溶剂NMP中可溶,它们有很好的热稳定性,氮气氛中,在500℃以前没有明显的降解。     

Synthesis and characterization of soluble polyimides and its ultrafiltration membrane performances

Soluble polyimides were synthesized and characterized from two diamines and four dianhydrides by the two- and the one-step method. Most of the polyimides could be soluble by one-step method except α,α′-bis(4-aminophenyl)-1,4-diisopropyl benzene/3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride system in limited organic solvents. Glass transition temperatures ranged from 186 to 233°C and crystalline melt temperatures were not observed. All the soluble polyimides showed good thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties. The polyimides did not have crystalline structure and limited solubilities. The effective solvent had a medium dispersion component associated with weak polar and hydrogen components. The polymer from one-step polymerization had a narrower molecular weight distribution than the two-step method. Polyimide synthesized with 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride and bis[4-(3-aminophenoxy)phenyl]sulfone by two-step method could only be prepared by the typical phase inversion method. Other membranes except this polyimide membrane could not be prepared by the typical phase-inversion method because of poor solubility about polar solvents. The flux of this ultrafiltration membrane was very high, and this membrane could especially retain polymer having a molecular weight 20,000 to above 90%. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 907–918, 1999     

Addition polyimides. IV. Effect of structure on thermal characteristics

Chain extension reaction of bis(m-maleimido phenyl) methyl phosphine oxide (BP) with 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (BP–M), 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether (BP–E), 3,3′- and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (BP–DDS_m and (BP-DDS_m respectively), tris (m-aminophenyl) phosphine oxide (BP–TAP), and 9,9-bis(p-aminophenyl) fluorene (BP–BAF) was carried out by refluxing 1:0.3 molar solution of BP:diamine. The melting temperature and exothermic peak associated with curing of BP decreased by such chain extension. The thermogravimetric analysis indicated more than 60% residual weight at 800°C in nitrogen atmosphere in BP–DDS_m, BP–DDS_p, and BP–TAP resins. These resins can be processed at low temperature and can be used for fabrication of composites with improved properties.     

Preparation and properties of polyamide-imides derived from 1,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene,trimellitic anhydride,and various aromatic diamines

A diamine, 1,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy) benzene (II), was synthesized in two steps; fist from the condensation of resorcinol with p-chloronitrobenzene in the presence of potassium carbonate, producing I ,3-bis(4-nitrophenoxy) benzene (I), followed by hydrazine hydrate/Pd-C reduction. A two imide rings-preformed dicarboxylic acid, 1,3-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy)benzene (III), was prepared from the condensation of diamine II and trimellitic anhydride in 1:2 molar ratio. A series of structurally new polyamide-imides (V_a-p) were directly synthesized from the diacid III and various aromatic diamines (IV_a-p). The resultant polyamide-imides had inherent viscosities between 0.56–1.39 dl/g. All polymers, except some derived from diamines with p-phenoxy structure, showed excellent solubility. Some polymer resulted in tough or flexible transparent films. Dynamic TG data indicated that all polymers possess excellent thermal stability with no significant weight loss up to the temperature of approximately 450 °C in nitrogen, and their 10% weight loss temperature was recorded in the range of 489–577 °C. Measurements of wide-angle X-ray diffraction revealed that some polymers derived from p-phenoxy group-containing diamines showed crystalline patterns.     

Methyl nadimide resins: Synthesis and characterization

This article describes the synthesis and characterization of several methyl nadimides endcapped resins based on tris(3-aminophenyl)phosphine oxide. These resins were prepared by reacting methyl-5-norbornene 2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride (methyl nadic anhydride) (MNA), pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA)/3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (BTDA)/2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6F), and tris(3-aminophenyl)phosphine oxide (TAP) in glacial acetic acid/acetone. Structural characterization of the resins was done by elemental analysis, IR, and ¹H-NMR. Thermal characterization of uncured resins using DSC and TGA techniques revealed an exothermic transition accompanied by a weight loss in the temperature range of 200–350°C. Residual weight at 800°C in nitrogen was found to be 47–55%. Isothermal curing of the resins was done at 340°C for 1 h in an air atmosphere. The cured resins were stable up to 400 ± 20°C. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and characterization of soluble poly(arylene ether ketone)s with high glass transition temperature based on 3,6‐bi(4‐fluorobenzoyl)‐N‐alkylcarbazole

3,6‐bi(4‐fluorobenzoyl)‐N‐methylcarbazole and 3,6‐bi(4‐fluorobenzoyl)‐N‐ethylcarbazole were synthesized and used to prepare poly(arylene ether ketone)s (PAEKs) with high glass transition temperatures (T_g) and good solubility. High molecular weight amorphous PAEKs were prepared from these two difluoroketones with hydroquinone, phenolphthalein, 9,9‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)fluorene and 4‐(4‐hydroxylphenyl)‐2,3‐phthalazin‐1‐one, respectively. All these polymers presented high thermal stability with glass transition temperatures being in the range 239–303 °C and a 5% thermal weight loss temperature above 460 °C. Compared with the T_g of phenolphthalein‐based PAEK (PEK‐C), fluorene‐based PAEK (BFEK) and phthalazinone‐based PAEK (DPEK) not containing a carbazole unit, these polymers presented a 30–50 °C increase in T_g. Meanwhile, PAEKs prepared from N‐ethylcarbazole difluoroketone showed good solubility in ordinary organic solvents, and all polymers exhibited excellent resistance to hydrochloric acid (36.5 wt%) and sodium hydroxide (50 wt%) solutions. In particular, phthalazinone‐based PAEK bearing N‐ethylcarbazole afforded simultaneously a T_g of 301 °C with good solubility. Tensile tests of films showed that these polymers have desirable mechanical properties. The carbazole‐based difluoroketones play an important role in preparing soluble PAEKs with high T_g by coordinating the relationship between chain rigidity resulting from the carbazole unit and chain distance from the side alkyl. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and study of the effect of carboxyvinyl group position on the properties of polyamides. Crosslinked polymers

Several aromatic polyamides containing carboxyvinyl bonds in the main chain were synthesized by self-condensation from β-(2-,3-,4-aminophenyl)propenoic acid using the phosphorylation method. In addition, aromatic polyamides containing carboxyalkyl bonds in the backbone were synthesized under the same conditions for comparative purposes (model polyamides) and used as pattern. The model polyamides were synthesized from 3-,4-aminophenyl acetic acid and β-(3-aminophenyl)propanoic acid. Polymers were characterized by UV–vis, FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and inherent-viscosity measurement. The effect of the carboxyvinyl group position in the aromatic ring was correlated to polyamides properties. Thereby, solubility, thermal stability, viscosities, optical properties, and polymers crosslinking were studied. Some polyamides were soluble in polar solvents and inorganic acids. Upon thermal curing crosslinked polymers were obtained. The thermal stability and crosslinking of polyamides were evaluated with respect to position of carboxyvinyl in the aromatic ring. The crosslinked polymers exhibited improved thermal stability.     

Novel condensation functional polymers having highly basic groups

The cardo polyimides and polyamides having highly nucleophilic quinuclidine groups have been synthesized with the usage of 3,3-bis(4-aminophenyl)quinuclidine as amine monomer. The latter has been obtained by the condensation of quinuclidone-3 with aniline. The characterization of such amine, including quaternization reaction, is performed. Polyimides have been derived from this monomer and various tetracarboxylic dianhydrides by one- and two-step polycyclization. Quinuclidine moieties enhance the one-step polyimide formulation leading to high molecular polymers including corresponding poly- 1,4,5,8-naphthoyleneimides even without any added catalyst. It is stated that polyamic acid formation is hindered by the side tertiary-amine-COOH salt formation. The latter reaction is eliminated by the preliminary quaternization of amine monomer. The high molecular polyamides have been prepared by low-temperature solution polycondensation of cited monomer and diacid chlorides. The obtained polymers are characterized by high thermal properties, solubility in organic solvents and represent the quite efficient catalysts for polyamic acid imidation in homo- and heterogeneous systems.     

Synthesis and thermal properties of polyamide 6 (A)-polyimide (B) block copolymers of ABA type

Summary Polyimides (PI) having different molecular weights were prepared by condensation of oxydiphthalic anhydride with 9,9-bis-(4-aminophenyl)fluorene in nitrobenzene solution at 180°C. These polyimides carried two amino chain ends which allowed us to fix polycaprolactam chains (PA6) to obtain PA6-PI-PA6 type copolymers. The elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopic determination gave the proportion of PA6 (or PI) in the copolymers. The studies of thermal properties-DSC and TGA-allowed us to characterize the copolymers.     

Synthesis and characterization of soluble poly(ether imide)s containing fluorenyl cardo groups

Two series of poly(ether imide)s (PEIs) containing fluorenyl cardo groups in the main chains were synthesized, which are derived from the polycondensation of 9,9′‐bis(4‐aminophenoxyphenyl)fluorene (BAOFL) or 9,9′‐bis(3‐trifluoromethyl,4‐aminophenoxyphenyl)fluorene (6F‐BAOFL) with four kinds of dianhydrides (3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, 4,4′‐oxydiphthalicanhydride, 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, and bisphenol‐A dianhydride), respectively. The PEI films and PEI powder were prepared by thermal and chemical imidization, respectively. The PEIs were characterized by FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and UV–vis were performed on inherent viscosity, solubility, and tensile tests. The effects of fluorenyl cardo groups and ether linkages on the solubility, tensile properties, thermal stability, and optical properties were investigated in detail. It was found that the PEIs had good solubility in common organic solvents and good optical transparency in visible light region. In addition, the PEI films exhibited excellent tensile and thermal properties. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Microwave-induced synthesis of partially aromatic polyamides via the Yamazaki phosphorylation reaction

Microwave irradiation was successfully applied to condensate aromatic diamines with linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acids through the Yamazaki phosphorylation reaction. Succinic, adipic, suberic, sebacic, and fumaric acids were reacted with p-phenylenediamine or 2,5-bis(4-aminophenyl)-3,4-diphenylthiophene to produce P-series and T-series of partially aromatic polyamides. Medium to high yields (60–100%) were achieved after a very short polymerization time (30 or 40 s). The intrinsic viscosity of products range from 10 to 80 mL g^–1. The solubility of the T-series of polyimides has been improved due to the presence of the bulky phenylated diamine moiety. The chemical structure of the polyamides was confirmed by FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Thermal properties were investigated using DSC and TGA techniques under inert atmosphere. Polyfumaramides (PF and TF) were recognized to be the most thermally stable polyamides (the highest IPDT values). However, these two polymers as well as polysuccinamides (P2 and T2) showed the lowest index of intrinsic thermal stability (ITS), i. e., although they have the highest refractoriness (the highest char yields), they began to decompose at relatively low temperatures. A crosslinking mechanism was proposed for the similar thermal behavior of the fumaramides and succinamides.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyimides from novel 1-(3′,5′-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene) pyromelliticdianhydride (6FPPMDA)

Mono-substituted dianhydride monomer, 1-(3′,5′-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) pyromellitic dianhydride (6FPPMDA), was prepared via the Suzuki cross coupling reaction followed by oxidation and cyclodehydration. The monomer was characterized by FT-IR, NMR, elemental analyzer (EA) and melting point apparatus. For comparison, 1-(4′-trifluoromethylphenyl)pyromellitic dianhydride (3FPPMDA) and 1-phenyl pyromellitic dianhydride (PPMDA) were also utilized. The dianhydrides were used to prepare polyimides with aromatic diamines such as bis(3-aminophenyl) 3,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl phosphine oxide (mDA6FPPO), bis(3-aminophenyl) 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl phosphine oxide (mDA3FPPO), bis(3-aminophenyl) phenyl phosphine oxide (mDAPPO) and 1,1-bis(4-aminophenyl)-1-phenyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethane (p3FDAm). The polyimides were synthesized via a two-step process; preparation of poly(amic-acid) in p-chlorophenol with isoquinoline, followed by solution imidization at the reflux temperature for 12 h. Polymer characterization was carried out by FT-IR, NMR, GPC, DSC and TGA, and their solubility, solution viscosity, water absorption, CTE, dielectric constant and refractive index were also evaluated.     

Curing kinetics and properties of epoxy resin-fluorenyl diamine systems

Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol fluorene (DGEBF), 9,9-bis-(4-aminophenyl)-fluorene (BPF) and 9,9-bis-(3-methyl-4-aminophenyl)-fluorene (BMAPF) were synthesized to introduce more aromatic structures into the epoxy systems, and their chemical structures were characterized with FTIR, NMR and MS analyses. The curing kinetics of fluorenyl diamines with different epoxy resins including DGEBF, cycloaliphatic epoxy resin (TDE-85) and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) was investigated using non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and determined by Kissinger, Ozawa and Crane methods. The thermal properties of obtained polymers were evaluated with dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show that the values of activation energy (E_a) are strongly dependent on the structures of epoxy resin and curing agent. The curing reactivity of epoxy system is restrained by the introduction of rigid fluorene into chain backbone and flexible methyl into side groups. The cured DGEBF/fluorenyl diamine systems exhibit remarkably higher glass transition temperature, better thermal stability and lower moisture absorption compared to those of DGEBA/fluorenyl diamine systems, and display approximate heat resistance and much better moisture resistance relative to those of TDE-85/fluorenyl diamine systems.     

可溶性PBAP-ODPA-BPADA共聚聚酰亚胺的合成与性能

用4-苯基-2,6-双(4-氨基苯基)吡啶作为二胺,3,3′,4,4′-二苯醚四羧酸二酐和双酚A型二酐作为二酐,以N,N-二甲基甲酰胺(DMF)为溶剂,通过常规的两步法,分别经热亚胺化和化学亚胺化过程合成了3种聚酰亚胺。用傅里叶变换红外光谱对聚合物的结构进行表征,表明在1 780,1 720,725cm-1附近出现了聚酰亚胺的特征吸收峰。采用溶解性测试、X射线衍射、热重分析、拉伸测试和吸水率测试表征了产物性能。所合成的共聚聚酰亚胺溶解性较好,溶于常见有机溶剂。所合成的聚酰亚胺膜热稳定性良好,在氮气氛中,起始降解温度超过500℃,10%失重温度为547.1～601.5℃,800℃质量保持率为64.8%～67.2%。聚酰亚胺膜的拉伸强度、拉伸模量、断裂伸长率分别为105.8～112.6 MPa,2.24～2.32 GPa,9.5%～10.2%。膜的吸水率为0.96%～0.98%。     

Study on highly thermostable low-k polymer films based on fluorene-containing polyetherimides

Highly thermostable low-k polymer films with potential applications as dielectric materials in microelectronic industry were synthesized starting from 9,9-bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]fluorene dianhydride and various diamines. A polyetherimide/silica nanocomposite film was obtained using methyltriethoxysilane as precursor of inorganic phase. The chemical structure was confirmed by FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Water vapor's sorption capacity, thermal stability, glass transition temperature, thermal diffusivity, specific heat, thermal conductivity, and dielectric characteristics of the films were determined. All the films exhibited excellent thermal stability, with an initial decomposition temperature in the range of 500–530°C. They showed low dielectric constant of 1.98–2.86 and low dielectric loss of 0.0037–0.011, at a frequency of 1 Hz and room temperature. The subglass γ- and β-relaxations, primary α-relaxation, and conductivity relaxation processes were discussed according to the chemical structure of the samples. Quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) study was conducted, and linear regression models were formulated to describe the causal relationships between different parameters and polyetherimide properties.     

Synthesis and performances of 9,9-bis(perfluorohexylethyl propionate) fluorene copolymers

2,7-dibromo-9,9-bis(perfluorohexylethyl propionate) fluorene was synthesized by Michael addition reaction using 2,7-dibromofluorene and perfluorohexyl ethyl acrylate as the reactants. 9,9-Bis(perfluorohexylethyl propionate) fluorene copolymers were then synthesized by Suzuki coupling reaction with 2,7-bis(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborane-diyl)-9,9 -dioctyl fluorene, 2,7-dibromo-9,9-dioctyl fluorene and 2,7-dibromo-9,9-bis(perfluorohexylethyl propionate) fluorene as the monomers. The fluorinated fluorene copolymers were characterized and investigated via Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹HNMR), ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy (UV–vis), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and photoluminance spectroscopy (PL). Because of the long fluorine-containing alkyl side chain, the ultraviolet absorption peak of 9,9-bis(perfluorohexylethyl propionate) fluorene is blue-shifted compared with poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene)(PF8). The LUMO energy level increases and the energy band gap of copolymers widens. Due to the self-assembly of the long fluoroalkyl side chain, the photoluminance spectra of 9,9-bis(perfluorohexylethyl propionate) fluorene copolymers exhibit a new excimer emission peak at 550 nm. The photoluminance stabilities of the copolymers under irradiation and humid conditions are significantly improved due to protective effect from the long fluoroalkyl side chain. After being irradiated under 500 W iodine tungsten lamp or kept under 70% relative humid conditions, the 9,9-bis(perfluorohexylethyl propionate) fluorene copolymers showed much better photoluminance stability than that of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PF8). These show that introducing long fluoroalkyl side chain into conjugated polymer main chain is a promising strategy to improve environmental stability of devices based on organic conjugated polymers.     

Molecular weight tuning and spectral studies of novel CN‐PPVs via Gilch reaction route

Two novel cyano‐containing PPVs (CN‐PPVs) with different solubilizing alkyloxyl groups were synthesized through Gilch reaction from the monomer 2‐cyano‐5‐(4′‐alkoxyphenyl)‐1,4‐bisbromomethylbenzene. The structures of the polymers were determined by NMR, FTIR, and elemental analysis (EA). The results show that the solubility, thermal stability, and fluorescence properties of CN‐PPVs vary with differing molecular weight. The relationship between the molecular weight of the polymers and the amount of 4‐methoxyphenol used was consistent with anionic polymerization, of which the molecular weight is known to be inversely related to the amount of the initiator. When the number‐average molecular weight (M_n) is in the range of 30,000–100,000, the solubility of the polymers was very good in chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, and toluene, and have good film properties. The fluorescence emission maxima range from 457 to 520 nm, exhibiting appreciable red‐shift with the increase of the molecular weight. This series of novel CN‐PPVs also bear high thermal stability. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007