One‐pot synthesis of polyetherimides from bis(chlorophthalimide) and dichlorodiphenylsulfone in diphenylsulfone

Polyetherimides and copolymers have been synthesized in one pot from bis(chlorophthalimide), dichlorodiphenylsulfone, and bisphenolate using diphenylsulfone as the solvent. The inherent viscosities of the obtained polyimides are in the range of 0.32–0.72 dL/g, and the structures of polyimides were confirmed by IR and elemental analyses. All of the polyimides have good solubility in common organic solvents. The 5% weight‐loss temperatures of the polyimides were 429–507°C in air. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of 4,4′‐(9‐fluorenylidene) diphenol‐based polyimides are in the range of 253–268°C. The T_g of bisphenol A‐based polyimides is in the range of 198–204°C, while the T_g change inconspicuously when the ratios of diphenylsulfone increase. The wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction showed that all polyimides prepared are amorphous. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 4584–4588, 2006