A novel ferrocenyl diamine (FDA) was prepared by the condensation reaction of 1, 1'-ferrocenedicarbonyl chloride with 2 mol of 2,6-bis(4-aminophenoxy)pyridine. A series of ferrocene-based polyamides was prepared via polycondensation reaction of FDA with various diacid chlorides in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) using trimethylchlorosilane (TMSCI) as activating agent. The monomer and polyamides were characterized and inherent viscosity, solubility, thermal stability and behavior, flame-retardancy, and crystallinity of the polymers were studied. The polymers showed good heat-resistant, flame-retardancy, and also improved solubility in polar aprotic solvents. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.