Novel star-like wholly aromatic copolyesters having four arms based on a tetraamine star core, p- and m- hydroxybenzoic acids and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid have been successfully synthesized and spun into fibers for the investigation of the effect of the star-like structure on improving compressive properties of the fiber. The reactivity of the star core was demonstrated using a model compound with FTIR, H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy. The C-13 NMR spectrum of the star-like terpolymer having a molar ratio of 10:1 of the monomers to star core showed a characteristic peak at around delta62 ppm which corresponds to a tetra-substituted carbon and thereby demonstrates that the star core was really incorporated into the polymer. The star-like copolyester exhibited a clear stir opalescence and liquid crystalline morphology in the temperature range of 150-280 degreesC. However, no transition was observed in the DSC thermogram except a clear T-g at 110 degreesC. The star-like terpolymer fiber, prepared from a polymer with a molar ratio of 500:1 for the monomers to imide core, was spun in the liquid crystalline state at 180 degreesC. Fiber structure and properties have been studied. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.