Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Sulfone-containing Polyimides Molding Powder Derived from 2, 2-Bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy) phenyl] Sulfone and Aromatic Dianhydrides

A novel sulfone ether diamine was successfully synthesized by aromatic nucleophilic chloro-displacement reaction of 4-chloronitrobenzene with the 4, 4′-dihydroxydiphenylsulfone, followed by a catalytic reduction. Two kinds of aromatic polyimides molding powder containing sulfone and ether linkages was prepared from the resulting diamine with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) by a new three-step imidization procedure. The monomer and polyimides powder obtained were characterized by various methods. The monomer was synthesized with high purity and yield. The novel polyimides powder exhibited semi-crystalline character, good solubility in organic solvents, as well as high Tg value and excellent thermal stability in N2 and air.