Synthesis and properties of new AB-type semi-crystalline poly(ether imide)s

Summary Two AB-type poly(ether imide)s were prepared by one-pot polyimidization in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone(NMP)/pyridine or N,N-dimethylacetamide(DMAc)/Et₃N solution in the presence of triphenylphosphite(TPP) activator. The polymers were obtained with inherent viscosities of 1.16(5a) and 0.54(5b) dL/g and were highly thermostable up to at least 552°C with 5% weight loss. The polymers showed chemical resistance against chloroform even at higher temperature but could readily be dissolved in m-cresol and concentrated sulfuric acid. Wide-angle X-ray diffractograms revealed that the polymers were semi-crystalline. Received: 15 July 1999/Revised version: 30 July 1999/Accepted: 2 August 1999