A series of new wholly aromatic polyesters was synthesized by melt polycondensation of 1-phenyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (PNDA) and diacetates of various aromatic diols. The aromatic diols studied are hydroquinone (HQ), methylhydroquinone (MHQ), phenylhydroquinone (PHQ), (alpha-phenylisopropyl)hydroquinone (PIHQ), 2,6-naphthalenediol (2,6-ND), 1,4-naphthalenediol (1,4-ND), and 4,4’-biphenol (BP). These polyesters were char acterized for their crystallinity, glass transition temperature (T-g), melting temperature (T-m), liquid crystallinity, and thermal stability. In general, crystallinity of the polyesters are very low and the T-g values of the polyesters range from 150 to 172 degrees C depending on the structure of aromatic diols. All of the polymers formed nematic phases above their T-m or T-g. The polyesters derived from PHQ and PIHQ are soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents. The initial decomposition temperatures of the polyesters are above 400 degrees C under N-2 atmosphere.