Synthesis and properties of novel diisocyanate based optically active polyimides

A new optically active diisocyanate was prepared from the reaction of l-leucine and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and subsequent transformation of intermediate imide-containing diacid to diisocyanate via Weinstock modification of Curtius rearrangement. Solution polycondensation reaction of the prepared diisocyanate with PMDA, 3,3,4,4-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, and hexafluoroisopropylidene 2,2-bis(phthalic anhydride) resulted in the preparation of novel optically active polyimides. The optimal conditions for polyimidations (reaction duration and temperature programming) were obtained via study of the model compound. The monomer, model compound and polymers were characterized by FTIR, 1HNMR, mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis and their optical and physical properties were studied as well.