Syntheses and properties of new poly(amide–imide)s based on 1,4‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)naphthalene and various diimide–diacids

A series of new alternative poly(amide–imide)s (PAIs, III_a–j ) was synthesized by the direct polycondensation of 1,4‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)naphthalene (1,4‐BAPON) with various aromatic diimide–diacids. These polymers were obtained in quantitative yields with inherent viscosities of 0.71–1.03 dL/g. Except for III_a, most of the polymers were soluble in aprotic polar solvents such as NMP, DMAc, DMF, and DMSO and could be solution‐cast into transparent, flexible, and tough films. The glass transition temperatures of these PAIs were in the range of 235–280°C. Thermogravimetric analyses established that these polymers were fairly stable up to 450°C, and 10% weight loss temperatures were recorded in the range of 520–569°C under nitrogen and 506–566°C under an air atmosphere. Compared with the PAIs with the 1,4‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)benzene structure (series IV), the solubility of series III was better than that of series IV. Series III also exhibited lower crystallinity and better processability than those of series IV. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 217–225, 2000