Abstract:A series of polyetherimides PEI-ABx (x were 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, respectively, indicating the content of ATHDA based on the total mass of BPADA and ODA) were synthesized from AB-type monomer 3-amino-5,6,9,10-tetrahydro-[5]helicene-7,8-dicarbonyl-dicarboxylic anhydride (ATHDA), 4,4'-(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenyloxy) bis-(phthalic anhydride) (BPADA) and 2-aminodiphenyl ether (ODA). The polymers were characterized by FTIR, 1HNMR, DSC, DMA and TGA. The results showed that the inherent viscosity numbers of the PEI-ABx were 0.60~0.87 dL/g. All of the polymers had good film-forming property and solubility. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) measured by DMA were 228~256 °C, and the 5% thermogravimetric temperatures (T5%) were 505~536 °C in N2 atmosphere, which indicated that the PEI-ABx had excellent thermal stability. The tensile strength, young's modulus and elongation at break of the polymer films were 41.7~88.1 MPa, 1.7~2.7 GPa and 3.3%~4.8%, respectively, demonstrating that the PEI-ABx possessed good mechanical properties. In addition, the tetrahydro - [5] helicene structure in polymer chains could be dehydrogenated to form more rigid aromatic structure. For PEI-AB20%, after dehydrogenation the Tg and T5% of the polymer were increased from 256 °C to 283 °C, and 531 °C to 557 °C respectively. The results showed that the heat resistance of the polymers could be further improved by dehydrogenation.