The synthesis and characterization of aromatic polyamides containing oxyethylene units is reported, and the differences observed in polycondensation yields, molecular weights, and molecular weight distributions, as a function of the method of synthesis, are discussed. Four diamines containing oxyethylene units and aromatic rings, meta and para oriented, and their corresponding hydrochlorides were prepared as condensation monomers to be combined with isophthaloyl chloride (IPC) and terephthaloyl chloride (TPC). High molecular weight polyamides were obtained by interfacial and low-temperature solution methods. Values of (M) over bar(n) up to 6 X 10(4) g/mol and (M) over bar(w) up to 2 X 10(5) g/mol could be measured by gel permeation chromatography using aromatic polyamide standards, and values of (M) over bar(n) up to 2 X 10(5) g/mol and (M) over bar(w) up to 5 X 10(5) g/mol by using polystyrene standards.