Development and Optimization of Producing 3,3',4,4'-Benzophenonetetracarboxylic Dianhydride

This paper includes a series of experiments conducted in order to develop a laboratory method for producing 3,3', 4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride and selection of the optimum conditions, allowing to obtain the greatest yield.3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydrideis used for the preparation of polyimideswith high thermal stability, chemical resistance as well as high strength and high Young’s modulus. Benzophenonetetracarboxylicdianhydridewas prepared by multistep route:Friedel-Crafts alkylation of o-xylene to obtain 3,3', 4,4'-tetramethylbenzophenonefollowed by liquid phase oxidation to benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid and dehydration.