A new synthetic route of 4,4′-hexafluoroisopropylidene-2,2-bis-(phthalic acid anhydride) and characterization of 4,4′-hexafluoroisopropylidene-2,2-bis-(phthalic acid anhydride)-containing polyimides

The title product 4,4′-hexafluoroisopropylidene-2,2-bis-(phthalic acid anhydride) was prepared from hexafluoroacetone and o-xylene as the starting materials by condensation, oxidation and dehydration three-step reaction sequence. It reacted with diamines in DMF or xylene to give polyimides by condensation polymerization. Thermal and viscosity analyses show that these polyimides have lower molecular weight but excellent thermal stability.