In copolycondensation with 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (BPP) and bisphenols (BPS) containing various alkylidene linkages, the associative interactions between BP moieties in the resulting oligomers most likely affected the reaction. To modify the interactions to favorably control the reaction, several additives were examined in a two-stage polycondensation of an equimolar mixture of isoplithalic acid and terephthalic acid, first with BPP (50 mol %) and next with additional BPP. Of additives used, diphenylmethane of an equivalent to BPP in the preformed oligomers was most effective. The results are discussed in terms of the distributions of resulting oligomers prepared at 70% extent of reaction. Better results were obtained when the distributions showed profiles similar to the theoretical one calculated on the basis that the reactivity of the oligomers is the same independent of their chain lengths. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.