The invention relates to a method for the production of molding compounds FM having improved optical and color properties, comprising a
polymer PM, which includes units of the formula (I), where R1 and R2 are
hydrogen and methyl, and R3 is
hydrogen, C1-C18-
alkyl, C5-C8-cycloalkyl, C6-C10-
aryl, and C6-C10-
aryl-C1-C4-
alkyl, said groups being substitutable by up to three times with groups selected from the group consisting of C1-C4-alkoxy and
halogen, produced in a generally known imidization reaction in a reaction extruder, an amount of one or more phosphorous compounds P having a reducing effect, which amount is effective for color stabilization, being added to the
polymer PM after conclusion of the imidization reaction, characterized in that the phosphorous compounds are organic phosphorous compounds OP, selected from the group consisting of the compounds of formula (II), where R4 and R5 are
hydrogen or an aromatic 6-member ring independent of each other, which may be substituted up to 5 times with a C1-C4-
alkyl and / or C5-C8-cycloalkyl group. Molded bodies obtained according to the method, particularly optical fibers, have a low tendency toward yellowing under
thermal load, together with low
haze (cloudiness) and stable and high transparency.