Three series of novel modified poly(etherimide-amide)s (PEIAs) having pendent benzazole units were prepared from diimide-dicarboxylic acids, including 2-[3,5-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy) phenyl]benzimidazole, 2- [3,5-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy) phenyl]benzoxazole, and 2-[3,5-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy) phenyl]benzothiazole, with various diamines by direct polycondensation in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone with triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. These new diimide-dicarboxylic acids containing ether linkages and benzazole pendent groups were synthesized by the condensation reaction of 5-(2-benzimidazole)-1,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene, 5-(2benzoxazole)-1,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene, or 5-(2-benzothiazole)-1,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene with trimellitic anhydride, respectively. All of the polymers were obtained in quantitative yields with inherent viscosities of 0.39-0.65 dL/g. For comparative purposes, the corresponding unsubstituted PEIAs were also prepared by the reaction of a diimide-dicarboxylic acid monomer lacking benzazole pendent groups, namely, 3,5-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy) phenyl, with the same diamines under similar conditions. The solubilities of the modified PEIAs in common organic solvents and their thermal stability were enhanced compared to those of the corresponding unmodified PEIAs. The glass-transition temperature, 10% weight loss temperature, and char yields at 800 C were 19-31 C, 22-57 C and 4-8% higher, respectively, than those of the unmodified polymers. V C 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 125: [1576][1577][1578][1579][1580][1581][1582][1583][1584][1585] 2012