New imides based on perylene and siloxane derivatives

Di- and poly- imides containing perylene and siloxane moieties have been prepared by reaction of 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride with an excess of α,ω-bis(aminopropyl)di- and oligo- dimethylsiloxanes, that differ by siloxane sequence length in quinoline, as a solvent. The product solubility increases with the siloxane segment length. When 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride:siloxane derivative molar ratio was 1:1, polyimides were formed. By partial replacement of 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride with 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride, the solubility of the resulting polyimide was improved. All structures were verified by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy. The surface topography of the products processed as films was investigated by Atomic Force Microscopy. The photophysical properties in correlation with the structure were studied.

Research highlights
► Imidic compounds based on perylene and siloxane derivatives have been prepared.
► The syntheses were directed to diimides or polyimides formation by the choosing the appropriate reactant ratios and the reaction conditions.
► Self-organization forms from micelles to fibers were revealed depending on the number and length of the siloxane sequences and the nature of the solvent.
► All structures showed optical properties.