Base-catalyzed photosensitive polyimide

Hgure 1. Chemical Scheme for Base-Catalyzed Photosensitive Polyimide. 

Thus, the unusual behavior of these polyimide precursors described above could ultimately always be traced back to the presence of amines. It is interesting to note that only one literature reference related to this phenomenon was found (d). This reference describes the kinetics and mechanism of cyclization of poly(amic all l esters) to polyimides. Based on model studies, it is claimed that phthalic add retards the imidization of the monomethyl ester N-phenyl-phthalamide model compound, whereas tributylamine has the opposite effect. However, the authors further claim that the imidization of poly(amic all l esters) is accelerated by the presence of adds. Based on these observations we dedded to investigate this apparent base-catalyzed imidization in greater detail with the goal of utilizing this behavior to chemically imidize polyCamic alkyl esters) as well as for a new photosensitive polyimide scheme in conjunction with photogenerated bases. 

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