The syntheses of two linear unsaturated aromatic oligoesters, poly(hydroquinone fumarate-co-sebacate) (PHFS) and poly(resorcinol fumarate-co-sebacate) (PRFS), are described. PHFS, PRFS and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are then used to prepare di- and tri-block copolymers. Products thus obtained are investigated in terms of molecular weight, composition, structure and thermal properties by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and NMR and FTIR spectroscopies. A number of design parameters including the molecular weights of PHFS, PRFS and PEG and the ratios of PEG to PPFS or to PEFS are varied in order to assess their effects on product yields and properties. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.