Synthesis and characterization of poly(imide-urethane) based on novel chain-extender containing both imide and sulphone functions

Several new glycols containing both imide and sulfone groups, sulfonyl bisimide glycol (SBIG), were prepared from primary aromatic diamine, trimellitic anhydride and excess low molecular glycols. Then these SBIGs were used as chain extender to prepare a series of thermoplastic poly(imide-urethane) (PIU), which intro- duced imide rings into the backbones. Compared to conventional linear polyurethane (PU), these PIUs exhibited better thermal stabilities because of the presence of the sulfone and built-in imide groups. V C 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4469-4477, 2005