PURPOSE: To obtain a polyimide, comprising a specific structural unit, having a high decomposition temperature, usable at high temperatures, suitable for providing a liquid crystal oriented film excellent in adhesion to a glass substrate and liquid crystal orienting properties and useful as a material for the liquid crystal oriented film such as a liquid crystal cell for (super)twisted nematic liquid crystal display elements.

CONSTITUTION: This polyimide comprises a structural unit of formula I [A is a tetravalent organic group; (m) is 1-3; (n) is 1-10] or structural units of formulas I and II (B is a bivalent organic group). The polyimide comprising the structural unit of formula I is obtained by reacting, e.g. a compound of formula III (e.g. 1H,1H-heptafluoro-1-butyl 3,5-diaminobenzoate) with a compound of formula IV (e.g. pyromellitic anhydride) in a solvent, producing a polyamic acid and heating the resultant polyamic acid.