Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Polyimides Containing Anthracene Moiety

A new type of anthracene containing diamine monomer bis (4-amino 3,5 dimethyl phenyl) anthra methane was prepared by adopting a new procedure starting from 9-anthraldehyde and 2,6-dimethyl aniline. The diamine was reacted with a number of aromatic dianhydrides to form polyimides via a two step polycondensation method involving the formation of poly (amic acid) as the first step and the thermal imidization as the second step. During thermal imidization the temperature was increased stepwise leading to the formation of the polyimide in good yield. Films were made from the prepared poly (amic acid). The Tg values of the polyimides were found to be in the range of 265-294 deg C, the T10 values were in the range of 396-492 deg C indicating better thermal stability. They were readily soluble in DMAc, DMF, DMSO, THF, CHCl3, m-cresol and pyridine. The tensile properties of the polyimide films are in the range of 66.2-92.3 MPa ensuring good mechanical properties.