A series of cross-linkable aromatic amines which are potential materials for hole-transporting layers have been examined by various techniques including differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and electron photoemission spectrometry. Hole transport properties of the materials were tested in two-layer light emitting diodes with Alq(3) as the electroluminescent and electron transporting material. One derivative was applied for the preparation of insoluble electro-active layers by cationic photo-initiated polymerization. Atomic force microscopy was used for the investigation of photopolymerized films which were tested as insoluble hole transporting layers in a device with Alq(3).