Three diimide-diacids, 2,2-bis[4-(4-trimellitimidophenoxy)phenyl]hexafluoropropane (I-A), 2,2-bis[4-(4trimellitimidophenoxy)phenyl]propane (I-B), and 5,5'-bis[4(4-trimellitimidophenoxy)phenyl]hexahydro-4,7-methanoindan (I-C), were prepared by the azeotropic condensation of trimellitic anhydride with three analogous diamines. Three series of alternating aromatic poly(arylate-imide)s, having inherent viscosities of 0.41-0.82 dL/g, were synthesized from these diimide-diacids (I-A, I-B, and I-C) with various bisphenols by direct polycondensation using diphenyl chlorophosphate and pyridine as condensing agents. All of the polymers were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylacet-amide, and even in the less polar tetrahydrofuran. These polymers could be cast into transparent and tough films, which had strength at break values ranging from 73 to 98 MPa, elongation at break from 6 to 11%, and initial modulus from 1.6 to 2.2 GPa. The softening temperatures of the polymers were recorded at 145-248degreesC. They had 10% weight loss at a temperature above 450degreesC and left 35-51% residue even at 800degreesC in nitrogen. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.