Synthesis and characterization of new poly[phenylquinoxaline(ether)imides]

A series of new aromatic poly[phenylquinoxaline(ether)imides] were synthesized by solution polycondensation of aromatic diamines containing preformed phenylquinoxaline groups with dianhydrides having ether linkages and isopropylidene or hexafluoroisopropylidene units. All polymers are readily soluble in polar organic solvents (N-methylpyrrolidinone, DMF, dimethylacetamide) and in less polar liquids such as chloroform. Very thin coatings were deposited onto silicon wafers. According to atomic force microscopy, they had a smooth, pinhole-free surface. The polymers showed high thermal stability with decomposition temperatures above 470 °C and glass transition temperatures in the range of 210–238 °C, being thus characterized by a large gap between the glass transition and decomposition temperatures.