Polyetherimides and precursors therefor from oxydiphtalic anhydride diester and a mixture of diamines

Polyetherimide precursor compositions are prepared by a reacting mixture of at least two diamines selected from the group consisting of o-phenylenediamine, m-phenylenediamine and 4-aminophenyl ether with the esterification product of a low molecular weight alkanol such as methanol and an ether tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, preferably 3,4-dicarboxyphenyl ether dianhydride. Said polyimide precursor compositions may be converted to polyimides useful in composite formation, by gently heating to remove excess alkanol and subsequently baking at temperatures in the range of about 275 DEG -375 DEG C.