Copoly(1,3,4-oxadiazole-naphthylimide)s containing siloxane units in the main chain: synthesis and properties

This study was concerned with the synthesis and properties of new soluble copolyimides containing naphthalene, oxadiazole and tetramethyldisiloxane units. These copolyimides were prepared by two-step polycondensation reaction in solution of aromatic diamines containing preformed oxadiazole ring with a mixture 1 : 1 of naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride and tetramethyldisiloxane- [1,3-bis(4'-phthalic anhydride)]. The structure of these polymers was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared and H-1-NMR spectroscopy. The solubility, thermal stability and glass transition temperature of these copolyimides were measured and compared with those of related polyimides which do not contain siloxane groups. All these polymers emitted an intense blue color light upon irradiation with UV light. These copoly(oxadiazole-naphthylimide)s could be considered promising candidates for organo-soluble high-performance polymers for use in novel technological applications.