Novel bis-dicyanoalkyl arene compounds are described of the formula ##STR1## wherein Ar, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are named substituents, Y is hydrogen or ##STR2## where R.sub.3 is an alkyl radical having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and both n's are zeros or ones; provided that when both n's are zeros, Y is ##STR3## and when both n's are ones, Y is hydrogen.
Novel aromatic dianhydride compounds are described of the formula ##STR1## wherein Ar, R' and R" are named substituents, and both x's are either zeros or ones.