Synthesis and characterization of aromatic polyimides containing tetraphenylfuran-thiazole moiety

2,5-Bis(4-(2-aminothiazole) phenyl)-3,4-diphenyl furan (BATPDF), well prepared in four steps. Novel aromatic polyimides containing tetraphenylfuran-thiazole unit were synthesized via a two-step thermal imidization derived from BATPDF with various commercially available dianhydrides such as pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), 4,4'-oxydi (phthalic anhydride) (ODPA) and 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA). The resulting aromatic PIs were obtained in high yields and moderate inherent viscosities in the range of 0.42-0.48 dL g(-1) and were practically amorphous as shown by the X-ray diffraction studies. All the polyimides exhibited excellent solubility in solvents, such as DMAc, NMP, m-cresol and pyridine on heating. PIs showed high glass transition temperatures between 238 and 252 A degrees C. TG of the PIs indicated a 10% mass loss (T (10%)) in the temperature range of 518-609 A degrees C and char yields at 900 A degrees C under nitrogen atmosphere in the range of 58-65% depending on the dianhydrides monomer used for the synthesis PIs. The structure-property correlation between these polyimides was studied. In view of these polymer's potential applications as thermally stable aerospace, optoelectronics and microelectronics device.