Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Polyimides have been synthesized by the sensitized photoaddition of aliphatic and aromatic bismaleimides to benzene. The reaction involves 2+2 cycloaddition to give homoannular diene intermediate followed by Diels‐Alder addition to give polymer. Proof of structure is based mainly on a comparison of infrared spectra with those of the corresponding polyimides prepared from maleic anhydride‐benzene photoadduct and diamines. The very low solubility of the polymers indicates that crosslinking probably occurred during photolysis. All the polyimides appear to decompose by decyclization at about 420–485°C. Polymer yield was dependent on bismaleimide structure.</jats:p>