Synthesis and properties of poly(amide–imide)s based on N,N′‐bis(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4′‐oxydiphthalimide,p‐aminobenzoic acid and various aromatic diamines

A new diimide–diacid monomer, N,N′‐bis(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4′‐oxydiphthalimide (I), was prepared by azeotropic condensation of 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) and p‐aminobenzoic acid (p‐ABA) at a 1:2 molar ratio in a polar solvent mixed with toluene. A series of poly(amide–imide)s (PAI, III_a–m) was synthesized from the diimide–diacid I (or I′, diacid chloride of I) and various aromatic diamines by direct polycondensation (or low temperature polycondensation) using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. It was found that only III_k–m having a meta‐structure at two terminals of the diamine could afford good quality, creasable films by solution‐casting; other PAIs III using diamine with para‐linkage at terminals were insoluble and crystalline; though III_g–i contained the soluble group of the diamine moieties, their solvent‐cast films were brittle. In order to improve their to solubility and film quality, copoly(amide–imide)s (Co‐PAIs) based on I and mixtures of p‐ABA and aromatic diamines were synthesized. When on equimolar of p‐ABA (m = 1) was mixed, most of Co‐PAIs IV had improved solubility and high inherent viscosities in the range 0.9–1.5 dl g^?1; however, their films were still brittle. With m = 3, series V was obtained, and all members exhibited high toughness. The solubility, film‐forming ability, crystallinity, and thermal properties of the resultant poly(amide–imide)s were investigated. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of Sm(III)–hyperbranched poly(ester‐amide) complex

A novel Sm(III)–hyperbranched poly(ester‐amide) complex (Sm(III)–HBPEA) was synthesized, and characterized using Fourier transform infrared, ¹³C NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Under the conditions used, HBPEA chelates to Sm³⁺ ions mainly via oxygen and nitrogen atoms of functional groups on the HBPEA chain. Modes of bonding of carboxyl groups, terminal hydroxyl groups and amide carbonyl structures may play the most important role in the coordination interaction. On excitation with UV light, the complex exhibits characteristic emission of both HBPEA and Sm³⁺. The presence of Sm³⁺ ions slightly accelerates HBPEA decomposition. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and properties of novel benzobisthiazole‐containing hyperbranched polyamides derived from 2,6‐diaminobenzo[1,2‐d:4,5‐d']bisthiazole

In this article, two novel benzobisthiazole‐containing hyperbranched polyamides with different end groups were synthesized, by adjusting the feed molar ratio of the reaction monomers, using 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid and 2,6‐diaminobenzo[1,2‐d:4,5‐d']bisthiazole as monomers, polyphosphoric acid as solvent, and catalyst. The molecular structure of the synthesized hyperbranched polymers were speculated by ¹H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, ¹³C‐NMR analysis, and Fourier transform infrared analysis. The M_n, M_w, and DB of the carboxyl terminated polymer HB‐COOH are 3264 g/mol, 3350 g/mol, and 44.1%, respectively, with a polydispersity of 1.03. The M_n, M_w, and DB of amino terminated polymer HB‐NH₂ are 3340 g/mol, 3420 g/mol, and 41.7%, respectively, with a polydispersity of 1.02. The thermal stability of HB‐NH₂ was higher than HB‐COOH in the range of 30 °C–800 °C.These two benzobisthiazole‐containing hyperbranched polyamides were completely amorphous and soluble in DMSO. Their DMSO solutions exhibited strong blue fluorescence. The fluorescent intensity of HB‐NH₂ was higher than HB‐COOH. The prepared polymers were potential useful in the area of blue light emitting and display. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43453.     

Synthesis and characterization of aromatic polyamides containing an s‐triazine ring with thiophenoxy linkages

A series of aromatic polyamides containing an s‐triazine ring with thiophenoxy linkages was synthesized from two new diacids, namely 2,4‐bis‐(4‐carboxyphenoxy)‐6‐thiophenoxy‐s‐triazine and 2,4‐bis‐(3‐carboxyphenoxy)‐6‐thiophenoxy‐s‐triazine, and commercially available aromatic diamines by using Yamazaki's phosphorylation reaction. The polyamides were obtained in good yields and were characterized by solubility tests, viscosity measurements, FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction studies and thermogravimetric analysis. The polyamides were found to have inherent viscosities in the range of 0.35 to 0.56 dl g^?1 in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) at 30 ± 0.1 °C. All the polyamides were readily soluble in solvents such as DMAc, N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) and m‐cresol. Thermogravimetric analysis of the polyamides indicated no weight loss below 345 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of silicon‐containing poly(amide‐amide)s

A modified new aromatic diacid, bis[(4‐carboxyphenyl) 4‐benzamide] dimethylsilane (IV) with preformed amide linkages and a silicon moiety was synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR, mass spectroscopy, and a physical constant. Novel poly(amide‐amide)s were synthesized from IV and aromatic diamines by Yamazaki's direct polyamidation method in N‐methyl pyrrolidinone. The polymers were obtained in excellent yields and showed reduced viscosities in the range of 0.42–6.15 dL/g. They were readily soluble in aprotic polar solvents. These poly(amide‐amide)s showed glass‐transition temperatures of 303–378°C as measured by DSC and showed no weight loss below 377°C in a nitrogen atmosphere. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 1610–1617, 2001     

Synthesis and characterization of new polyamides containing p‐phenylenediacryloyl moieties in the main chain

Six new polyamides 8a–f containing p‐phenylenediacryloyl moieties in the main chain were prepared by the direct polycondensation reaction of bis(p‐amidobenzoic acid)‐p‐phenylene diacrylic acid 6 with 1,4‐diphenylene diamine 7a , 1,3‐diamino toluene 7b , 1,5‐diamino naphthalene 7c , 4,4′‐diamino diphenyl ether 7d , 4,4′‐diamino diphenyl sulfone 7e , and 3,3′‐diamino diphenylsulfone 7f by using thionyl chloride, N‐methyl‐2‐pyrolidone, and pyridine as condensing agents. These new polymers 8a–f were obtained in high yield and inherent viscosity between 0.35–0.65 dL/g. The resulting polyamides were characterized by elemental analysis, viscosity measurements, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA and DTG), solubility test, FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopy. Diacid acid 6 as a new monomer containing p‐phenylenediacryloyl moiety was synthesized by using a three‐step reaction. First, p‐phenylenediacrylic acid 3 was prepared by reaction of terephthal aldehyde 1 with malonic acid 2 in the presence of pyridine, then diacid 3 was converted to p‐phenylenediacryloyl chloride 4 by reaction with thionyl chloride. Finally, bis(p‐amidobenzoic acid)‐p‐phenylene diacrylic acid 6 was prepared by the condensation reaction of phenylenediacryloyl chloride 4 with p‐aminobenzoic acid 5 . © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Four‐Electron Electrocyclic Ring‐Opening/Intermolecular [4+2] Cycloadditions of α‐Hydroxycyclobutenones: Stereoselective Synthesis of Multiple Substituted δ‐Lactams

A four‐electron electrocyclic ring‐opening/intermolecular [4+2] cycloaddition of α‐hydroxycyclobutenones is reported. The reaction represents the first example for the intermolecular cycloaddition of the extensively studied enol‐ketene intermediate, and provides a new synthetic route to multiply substituted δ‐lactams in high stereoselectivity.

     

Cationic copolymers of α,β‐poly‐(N‐2‐hydroxyethyl)‐DL‐aspartamide (PHEA) and α,β‐polyasparthylhydrazide (PAHy): synthesis and characterization

In the present study the derivatization of two water‐soluble synthetic polymers, α,β‐poly(N‐2‐hydroxyethyl)‐DL ‐aspartamide (PHEA) and α,β‐polyasparthylhydrazide (PAHy), with glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride (GTA) is described. This reaction permits the introduction of positive charges in the macromolecular chains of PHEA and PAHy in order to make easier the electrostatic interaction with DNA. Different parameters affect the reaction of derivatization, such as GTA concentration and reaction time. PHEA reacts partially and slowly with GTA; on the contrary the reaction of PAHy with GTA is more rapid and extensive. The derivatization of PHEA and PAHy with GTA is a convenient method to introduce positive groups in their chains and it permits the preparation of interpolyelectrolyte complexes with DNA. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and properties of polyamides based on 5,5′‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]‐hexahydro‐4,7‐methanoindan

A new diamine 5,5′‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]‐hexahydro‐4,7‐methanoindan ( 3 ) was prepared through the nucleophilic displacement of 5,5′‐bis(4‐hydroxylphenyl)‐hexahydro‐4,7‐methanoindan ( 1 ) with p‐halonitrobenzene in the presence of K₂CO₃ in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), followed by catalytic reduction with hydrazine and Pd/C in ethanol. A series of new polyamides were synthesized by the direct polycondensation of diamine 3 with various aromatic dicarboxylic acids. The polymers were obtained in quantitative yields with inherent viscosities of 0.76–1.02 dl g⁻¹. All the polymers were soluble in aprotic dipolar solvents such as N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), and could be solution cast into transparent, flexible and tough films. The glass transition temperatures of the polyamides were in the range 245–282 °C; their 10% weight loss temperatures were above 468 °C in nitrogen and above 465 °C in air. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chromophoric poly(urea‐urethane)s with pendent 3‐hydroxynaphthalene group: Synthesis and characterization

The reaction of 4‐(3‐hydroxynaphthalene)‐1,2,4‐triazolidine‐3,5‐dione ( 3HNTD ) with n‐propylisocyanate was performed at different molar ratios. The resulting monosubstituted urea and disubstituted urea‐urethane derivatives were obtained in high yields and were used as model compounds for polymerization reactions. 3HNTD as a monomer was used in the preparation of heterocyclic poly(urea‐urethane)s to produce photoactive polymers, by polycondensation with different diisocyanates in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) solution. Chromophoric heterocyclic polymers containing naphthalene group, obtained in quantitative yields, possessed inherent viscosities in the range of 0.14–0.38 dL/g. The resulting poly(urea‐urethane)s is insoluble in most organic solvents, but easily soluble in polar solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), DMAc, and N‐methylpyrrolidone (NMP). The polymers were characterized by IR, ¹H‐NMR, elemental analysis, and TGA. Fluorimetric and UV–vis studies of the monomer as well as polymers were performed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(p‐phenylene)‐graft‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) copolymers by combined ring‐opening polymerization and cross‐coupling processes

2,5‐Dibromo‐1,4‐(dihydroxymethyl)benzene was used as initiator in ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone in the presence of stannous octoate (Sn(Oct)₂) catalyst. The resulting poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) macromonomer, with a central 2,5‐dibromo‐1,4‐diphenylene group, was used in combination with 1,4‐dibromo‐2,5‐dimethylbenzene for a Suzuki coupling in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₄ as catalyst or using the system NiCl₂/bpy/PPh₃/Zn for a Yamamoto‐type polymerization. The poly(p‐phenylenes) (PPP) obtained, with PCL side chains, have solubility properties similar to those of the starting macromonomer, ie soluble in common organic solvents at room temperature. The new polymers were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and UV spectroscopy and also by GPC measurements. The thermal behaviour of the precursor PCL macromonomer and the final poly(p‐phenylene)‐graft‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) copolymers were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analyses and compared. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

2‐Naphthol‐containing β‐cyclodextrin–epichlorohydrin copolymers: synthesis,characterization and fluorescence studies

Fluorescent 2‐naphthol (NOH)‐containing β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD)–epichlorohydrin (EP) copolymers were synthesized. Polymerization was confirmed through viscosity and FT‐IR spectroscopic measurements. Under certain conditions, the copolymers were water‐soluble (molar ratio of EP/β‐CD <22:1), while under other conditions water‐insoluble gels were formed (EP/β‐CD ≥ 22:1). Increase of the EP content to EP/β‐CD ≤ 39:1 increased the fluorescence intensity of the copolymer and shifted the emission maximum from 422 nm toward 352 nm (measured at pH ≥ 12). Further increases in the EP content resulted in a slight decrease in the fluorescence intensity. The fluorescence properties of our system at EP/β‐CD < 22 were sensitive to pH variation, while at EP/β‐CD ≥ 22 no pH effect was observed. These variations can be explained in terms of the exposure of the fluorophore to solvent in soluble versus insoluble polymers, as well as changes in the mode of association (host–guest complexation, trapping within the polymer network, covalent bonding, etc) of NOH with the polymers. Crystallographic studies on a single crystal grown in the absence of EP, but under basic conditions, suggest that host–guest complexation is not an important mode for NOH incorporation. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of photoluminescent conjugated polymer containing N‐(α‐naphthyl)‐carbazole unit

A novel luminescent conjugated polymer, poly[{9‐(α‐naphthyl)‐3,6‐divinylenecarbazolylene}‐alt‐co‐(1,4‐phenylene)] (PNVCP), bearing alternated 9‐(α‐naphthyl)‐carbazole and benzene units, was synthesized via a Wittig–Horner reaction. The solubility, thermal, and optical properties were investigated. It was soluble in common organic solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran and 1,2‐dichlororoethane. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry showed that the conjugated polymer exhibited good thermal stability up to 496°C with a glass‐transition temperature higher than 110°C. The photoluminescence properties were studied. The polymer emits blue light and the quantum yield is 93% in solution. The emission spectra exhibited an obvious solvent effect. With the increase of the polarity of the solvents, the fluorescence spectra changed obviously and appeared to be redshifted at room temperature. The redshift was more obvious in aromatic solvents than in aliphatic solvents. When N,N‐dimethylaniline was gradually added into the solution of the conjugated polymer, the emission intensity of the fluorescence decreased. In comparison, the emission intensity of the polymer showed invariability when 1,4‐dicyanobenzene was added into the polymer solution. Moreover, the fluorescence of the polymer could be effectively quenched by fullerene. Overall, the synthesized polymer is a potential candidate material for fabrication of polymeric light‐emitting devices. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 923–927, 2006     

Synthesis and characterization of greenish‐blue emitting vinyl copolymer containing pyrene and triarylamine moieties

Two fluorescent monomers N‐phenyl‐N‐(4‐vinylphenyl)pyren‐1‐amine (vinyl‐PyPA) and 1‐vinyl pyrene (VPy) were synthesized in good yields. A series of soluble conductive vinyl copolymers P(PyPA‐co‐VPy) containing vinyl‐PyPA and VPy moieties in different composition ratios were prepared by free radical solution polymerization. These copolymers showed high T_g (190?201 °C) and good thermal stability. The photoluminescence emission maxima of the copolymers were all in the range 474.5?478.5 nm, which was similar to the poly(N‐phenyl‐N‐(4‐vinylphenyl)pyren‐1‐amine) (P(PyPA)) (475 nm) but blue shifted compared with poly(1‐vinyl pyrene) (PVPy) (490.5 nm). The lifetime of the copolymers increased from 10.2 to 29.7 ns with an increase in pyrene content. The copolymers had higher quantum yields (0.51) than those of the homopolymers of P(PyPA) (0.48) and PVPy (0.13). The highest occupied molecular orbital of the copolymers remained relatively unchanged from P(PyPA), while the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital varied from ?2.41 eV to ?2.51 eV with an increase in pyrene ratio in the copolymers. The energy bandgaps of the copolymers (from 2.70 eV to 2.81 eV) were smaller than those of P(PyPA) (2.82 eV) and PVPy (3.47 eV). Two polymer light‐emitting diode (PLED) series were attempted including indium tin oxide (ITO) (fluorocarbon (CFx) treated)/P(PyPA‐co‐VPy)/LiF/Al and ITO(CFx treated)/P(PyPA‐co‐VPy)/1,3,5‐Tri(1‐phenyl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐yl)phenyl (TPBi)/LiF/Al. The results suggested that the PyPA moiety is hole conducting and the PLEDs can achieve high luminance from 650 to 1150 cd m^?2 (at 100 mA cm^?2) only when an electron injecting layer TPBi is employed. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Melting characteristic and β‐crystal content of β‐nucleated polypropylene/polyamide 6 alloys prepared using different compounding methods

BACKGROUND: The distribution of nucleating agents in different phases is still an open question in general, and how to control conditions to prepare alloys rich in β‐crystals of polypropylene (PP) is hardly reported. The main goal of this study was to find out the factors influencing the β‐crystal content in β‐nucleated PP/polyamide 6 (PA6) alloys and determine the best preparation conditions to obtain β‐nucleated PP/PA6 alloys rich in β‐crystals. RESULTS: The compounding methods had little influence on the crystallization temperature of both PP and PA6. However, the melting characteristic and β‐crystal content in β‐nucleated PP/PA6 alloys not only depended upon the compounding methods, but also on the temperature at which the nucleating agent was added. A higher β‐crystal content can be obtained by adding the nucleating agent at a temperature below 190 °C, which is also dependent on the mixing time. CONCLUSION: It is proved by etching the alloys with sulfuric acid that the nucleating agent mainly disperses in the PA6 phase and/or the interface between PP and PA6 when blended at high temperature. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of ternary‐copolymer of soluble fluorinated polyimides based on 1,4‐bis (4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy) benzene

A series of novel ternary‐copolymer of fluorinated polyimides (PIs) were prepared from 1,4‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene (pBATB), commercially available aromatic dianhydrides, and aromatic diamines via a conventional two‐step thermal or chemical imidization method. The structures of all the obtained PIs were characterized with FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, and element analysis. Besides, the solubility, thermal stability, mechanical properties, and moisture uptakes of the PIs were investigated. The weight‐average molecular weight (M_w) and the number‐average molecular weight (M_n) of the PIs were determined using gel‐permeation chromatography (GPC). The PIs were readily dissolved not only in polar solvents such as DMF, DMAc, and NMP, but also in some common organic solvents, such as acetic ester, chloroform, and acetone. The glass transition temperatures of these PIs ranged from 201 to 234°C and the 10% weight loss temperatures ranged from 507 to 541°C in nitrogen. Meanwhile, all the PIs left around 50% residual even at 800°C in nitrogen. The GPC results indicated that the PIs possessed moderate‐to‐high number‐average molecular weight (M_n), ranging from 9609 to 17,628. Moreover, the polymer films exhibited good mechanical properties, with elongations at break of 8–21%, tensile strength of 66.5–89.8 MPa, and Young's modulus of 1.04–1.27 GPa, and low moisture uptakes of 0.54–1.13%. These excellent combination properties ensure that the polymer could be considered as potential candidates for photoelectric and microelectronic applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Novel organosoluble poly(amide‐imide‐imide)s synthesized from new tetraimide‐dicarboxylic acid by condensation with 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride, 1,4‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene,trimellitic anhydride,and various aromatic diamines

A new monomer of tetraimide‐dicarboxylic acid (IV) was synthesized by starting from ring‐opening addition of 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride, trimellitic anhydride, and 1,4‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene at a 1:2:2 molar ratio in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP). From this new monomer, a series of novel organosoluble poly(amide‐imide‐imide)s with inherent viscosities of 0.7–0.96 dL/g were prepared by triphenyl phosphite activated polycondensation from the tetraimide‐diacid with various aromatic diamines. All synthesized polymers were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents such as NMP and N,N‐dimethylacetamide, and most of them were soluble even in less polar m‐cresol and pyridine. These polymers afforded tough, transparent, and flexible films with tensile strengths ranging from 99 to 125 MPa, elongations at break from 12 to 19%, and initial moduli from 1.6 to 2.4 GPa. The thermal properties and stability were also good with glass‐transition temperatures of 236–276°C and thermogravimetric analysis 10 wt % loss temperatures of 504–559°C in nitrogen and 499–544°C in air. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2854–2864, 2006     

Synthesis and characterization of side‐chain liquid‐crystalline ionomers containing quaternary ammonium salt groups

A series of thermotropic side‐chain liquid‐crystalline ionomers (LCIs) containing 4‐(4‐alkoxybenzyloxy)‐4′‐allyloxybiphenyl (M) as mesogenic units and allyl triethylammonium bromide (ATAB) as nonmesogenic units were synthesized by graft copolymerization upon polymethylhydrosiloxane. The chemical structures of the polymers were confirmed by IR spectroscopy. DSC was used to measure the thermal properties of these polymers. The mesogenic properties were characterized by polarizing optical microscopy, DSC, and X‐ray diffraction. Homopolymers without ionic groups exhibit smectic and nematic mesophases. The nematic mesophases of the ionomers disappear and the mesomorphic temperature ranges decrease with increasing concentration of ionic units. The influence of the alkoxy chain length on clearing temperature (T_c) values of ionomers clearly shows an odd‐even effect, similar to that of other side‐chain liquid‐crystalline polymers. The mesomorphic temperature ranges increase with increasing alkoxy chain length when the number of alkoxy carbon is over 3. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2879–2886, 2003     

Gold‐Catalyzed 5‐ and 6‐exo‐dig Selective Cyclizations of Alkynyl Silyl Enol Ethers: Efficient Method for [3+2] and [4+2] Annulations onto α,β‐Enones

An efficient method for the annulation of five‐ and six‐membered rings onto α,β‐enones is described via gold‐catalyzed 5‐ and 6‐exo‐dig selective cyclizations of alkynyl silyl enol ethers.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel polyaspartimides derived from 2,2′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bis(4‐maleimidophenoxy)biphenyl and various diamines

A novel bismaleimide, 2,2′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bis(4‐maleimidophenoxy)biphenyl, containing noncoplanar 2,2′‐dimethylbiphenylene and flexible ether units in the polymer backbone was synthesized from 2,2′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)biphenyl with maleic anhydride. The bismaleimide was reacted with 11 diamines using m‐cresol as a solvent and glacial acetic acid as a catalyst to produce novel polyaspartimides. Polymers were identified by elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy, and characterized by solubility test, X‐ray diffraction, and thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis). The inherent viscosities of the polymers varied from 0.22 to 0.48 dL g⁻¹ in concentration of 1.0 g dL⁻¹ of N,N‐dimethylformamide. All polymers are soluble in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, N,N‐dimethylacetamide, N,N‐dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, pyridine, m‐cresol, and tetrahydrofuran. The polymers, except PASI‐4, had moderate glass transition temperature in the range of 188°–226°C and good thermo‐oxidative stability, losing 10% mass in the range of 375°–426°C in air and 357°–415°C in nitrogen. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 279–286, 1999