AbstractA novel class of bismaleimides, biscitraconimides, and bisdichloromaleimides chain‐extended by pyromellitimide was prepared and characterized by infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These polymer precursors were prepared by reacting maleic/citraconic/dichloromaleic anhydride (1 mol) with an equimolar amount of a diamine and subsequently with pyromellitic dianhydride (0.5 mol). The tetraamic acid formed was cyclodehydrated by chemical or thermal means. The curing behavior of polymer precursors was investigated by differential thermal analysis. Bismaleimide was thermally polymerized at a relatively higher temperature than the corresponding biscitraconimide and at lower temperature than bisdichloromaleimide. The curing temperature of monomers fluctuated between 209 and 318°C. Dynamic thermogravimetric analysis of the cured aromatic resins showed that they were approximately stable up to 370°C both in nitrogen and air. Their char yield was 53–63 at 800°C under anaerobic conditions. The relative thermal stability of the cured resins, with respect the diamine utilized for imidization, was of the orderp‐phenylenediamine>4‐aminophenyl ether>4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane>4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone>hexamethylenediamine. In addition, the thermal and thermooxidative stability of polymers was ascertained by isothermal gr
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