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 °C. TG of the PIs indicated a 10% mass loss (T10%) in the temperature range of 518–609 °C and char yields at 900 °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.