Polyimides from isomeric dianhydrides

Another approach to the synthesis of polyimides from chloral derivatives involves the use of dianhydrides of isomeric tetracarboxylic acids containing central carbonyl or 1,1-dichloroethylene groups and two ether bonds as the starting electrophilic compounds [31-33] (Scheme 3.8). 

Diesters of Tetracarboxylic Acids with Diamines. Dianhydrides react with alcohols at a moderate temperature, producing the tetracarboxyhc acid diesters. Ben2ophenonetetracarboxyhc acid diester (BTTA diester) is obtained from B I DA as a mixture of three positional isomers. Partiy because it is an isomeric mixture, the diester of BTTA is soluble in methanol at high concentrations. A state-of-the-art thermoset polyimide,... 

This new zeolite-catalyzed ring-shift isomerization could provide a new route to anthracene and its derivatives [Song, 1996], which are valuable chemicals in demand, from phenanthrene, which is rich in liquids from coal. Selective partial hydrogenation of phenanthrene would be needed as the first step. Possible applications of sym-OHAn include the manufacturing of anthracene (for dyestuffs and fine chemicals), anthraquinone (pulping agent), and pyromellitic dianhydride (the monomer for polyimides such as Du Pont s Kapton) [Song and Schol rt, 1993]. Fundamental research is needed to clarify the mechanisms and reaction pathways. 

A series of 15 wt % isomeric polyimide precursor resin solutions was prepared by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center. The polymerization procedure has been described previously (2,3). The poly(amic-acid) resin solutions were made from 3,3, 4,4 -benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (BTDA), 4,4 -oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA), diaminobenzophenone (DABP), and methylenedianiline (MDA) monomers. 

---