Acetylenic end-capped polyimides

Aromatic polyimides with acetylenic end groups are cured by coupling together thermally or catalytically using cuprous salts as catalysts to increase molecular weight with little or no by-product formation. These polyimides can be shaped and formed prior to the coupling. The acetylenic end-capped aromatic polyimides are formed by the reaction of an aromatic dianhydride, an acetylenic organic monoamine compound which will provide the reactive end groups and optionally an aromatic diamine.