Novel polyimides were prepared by the Diels-Alder (DA) reaction of furfuryl alcohol (FA) resin (poly(2,5-furandiylmethylene)), with various bis(maleimides). The DA reaction was carried out in tetrahydrofuran as solvent, as well as bulk, followed by aromatization of the tetrahydrophthalimide intermediates in the presence of acetic anhydride. All the polyimides were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectral studies and thermogravimetry. The results show that polyimides based on FA resin exhibit moderate thermal stability. Preliminary results also indicate that glass fiber reinforced polyimide laminates show good mechanical properties.
