Abstract: A process for the preparation of an aromatic polyimide film includes the steps of casting a polyamide acid solution containing an imidization agent on a support in the form of a film, heating the filmy cast solution on the support at a temperature of 80.degree. to 200.degree. C. to obtain a self-supportable film; peeling the self-supportable film from the support; and further heating the film at a temperature of not lower than 300.degree. C. The polyamide acid solution includes a polyamide acid obtained by polymerization reaction of 3,4,3',4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and p-phenylenediamine in a mixture of a polar organic solvent and a small amount of an imidization agent selected from imidazole, a substituted imidazole, benzimidazole, a substituted benzimidazole, isoquinoline, and a substituted pyridine.

Abstract: An aromatic polyimide film directly laminated with a metal foil and an aromatic polyimide film directly laminated on both sides with a metal foil wherein the polyimide film (substrate) comprises an aromatic polyimide layer-A of 6-200 .mu.m thick whose polyimide is derived from a biphenyltetracarboxylic acid or its derivative and a phenylenediamine and an aromatic polyimide layer-B of 0.2-15 .mu.m thick whose polyimide is derived from an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid or its derivative and an aromatic diamine having plural benzene rings, and the polyimide layer-A has a thickness of not less than 55% of the total thickness of the aromatic polyimide substrate film, the polyimide layer-B is fixed to the polyimide layer-A under the condition that the layer-B cannot be peeled from the layer-A along the interface between these layers-A and -B and the metal foil is directly fixed on the surface of the polyimide layer-B via no adhesive.

Abstract: An abrasive sheet having a high flexibility, mechanical strength and heat resistance, comprises (A) a matrix comprising an aromatic polyimide resin and (B) abrasive grains having an average size of 65-150 .mu.m and evenly dispersed in an amount of 2 to 50% by weight in the matrix, and is produced by forming a thin liquid layer from a dispersion comprising an aromatic polyamic acid solution with a rotation viscosity of 3000 to 6000 poises at 30.degree. C. and the above-mentioned abrasion grains dispersed in the solution, and dry-solidifying the liquid layer of the dispersion while imidizing the aromatic polyamic acid to a corresponding aromatic polyimide, the abrasive sheet having a thickness of 1.1 to 3.0 times the average size of the abrasive grains.

Abstract: High purity crystals of a biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride produced by dehydration of a biphenyltetracarboxylic acid, which contain almost no biphenyltricarboxylic acid or its anhydride, or a small amount such as an amount of not more than 0.2 wt. %, are of value to produce an aromatic polyamic acid or polyimide having an increased high molecular weight. The high purity crystals of a biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride can be prepared from a biphenyltetracarboxylic acid by a dehydration process wherein the biphenyltetracarboxylic acid is heated under carefully controlled conditions.

Abstract: An improved method of recovering a palladium catalyst from a liquid reaction mixture having been produced by oxidative coupling reaction of an aromatic compound in the presence of a catalyst containing palladium(II) salt is disclosed. The improved method comprises heating the liquid reaction mixture under stirring at a temperature of 180.degree. to 280.degree. C. in an atmosphere containing hydrogen gas at a partial pressure of 5 to 60 kg/cm.sup.2 whereby reducing the catalyst in the reaction mixture and precipitating a metallic palladium from the reaction mixture.