Abstract
A copolyimide synthesized from 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid, and 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-p-phenylene diamine was found to be soluble in N-alkyl substituted amides. An organic soluble photosensitive polyimide was obtained by further reaction of the copolyimide with methacrylic acid glycidyl ester. After adding Michler's ketone, the UV spectra absorbance near 360 nm of the copolyimide decreased rapidly upon the irradiation of mercury lamp. Using benzoic acid and methacrylic acid glycidyl ester as model compounds and N,N-dimethylbenzylamine as catalyst, the mechanism of reaction between the carboxylic group of the copolyimide and epoxy group of methacrylic acid glycidyl ester in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone was found to have two competitive reactions, namely the auto-catalytic and the catalytic reactions. The apparent rate constants of each reaction were determined. Comparison of apparent rate constants between the model compound and the polymer reaction system are also reported.