Organosoluble semi-alicyclic polyimides derived from 3,4-dicarboxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-tert-butyl-1-naphthalene succinic dianhydride and aromatic diamines: Synthesis, characterization and thermal degradation investigation

► A series of novel semi-alicyclic polyimides (PIs) have been prepared from a tert-butyl-substituted tetralin dianhydride and aromatic diamines. ► The PIs showed good solubility in various solvents. ► The PI films exhibited good thermal stability up to 400 oC and rapidly decomposed in the range of 450-550 °C. ► It was found that the single bond in TTDA was prone to be thermally cleaved at elevated temperatures.