Abstract: A polyfunctional phenylene ether oligomer (B) having 3 to less than 9 phenolic hydroxyl groups, obtained by reacting a polyfunctional phenol (A) having 3 to less than 9 phenolic hydroxyl groups per molecule and having alkyl groups and/or alkylene groups at 2- and 6-positions of at least one of the phenolic hydroxyl groups with a monohydric phenol compound of the formula (1), derivatives thereof, resin compositions containing the derivatives, curable films obtained therefrom and cured films thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 6 or less carbon atoms or a phenyl group, and R3 and R4 are the same or different and represent a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 6 or less carbon atoms or a phenyl group.

Abstract: A bismaleamic acid obtained by reacting a bifunctional phenylene ether oligomer diamine, obtained by introducing aromatic amino groups into both terminals of a specific bifunctional phenylene ether oligomer, with maleic anhydride, a bismaleimide obtained from the bismaleamic acid as a raw material, which bismaleimide has high heat resistance, low dielectric characteristics and excellent solvent solubility and exhibits only a small change in dielectric characteristics even in high humidity, a curable resin composition containing the above bismaleimide and a cured product obtained by curing the curable resin composition.

Abstract: A novel polyimide as a high molecular weight material having a low dielectric constant, a low dielectric loss tangent and low water absorptivity, a polyamic acid capable of generating the above polyimide, the above polyimide and the polyamic acid being obtained by reacting an aromatic diamine, obtained by introducing aromatic amino groups into both terminals of a specific bifunctional phenylene ether oligomer, with an acid anhydride, a process for the production of the polyimide, a process for the production of the polyimide, a film of the polyimide, and a laminate comprising the above film.

Abstract: A novel aromatic diamine compound obtained by introducing aromatic amino groups into both terminals of a specific bifunctional phenylene ether oligomer and a novel aromatic dinitro compound obtained by introducing aromatic nitro groups into both terminals of a specific bifunctional phenylene ether oligomer, these compounds being used as raw materials for obtaining high molecular weight materials having high heat resistance, a low dielectric constant, a low dielectric loss tangent and a low water absorption coefficient.

Abstract: A polyfunctional phenylene ether oligomer (B) having 3 to less than 9 phenolic hydroxyl groups, obtained by reacting a polyfunctional phenol (A) having 3 to less than 9 phenolic hydroxyl groups per molecule and having alkyl groups and/or alkylene groups at 2- and 6-positions of at least one of the phenolic hydroxyl groups with a monohydric phenol compound of the formula (1), derivatives thereof, resin compositions containing the derivatives, curable films obtained therefrom and cured films thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 6 or less carbon atoms or a phenyl group, and R3 and R4 are the same or different and represent a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 6 or less carbon atoms or a phenyl group.