Two series of fluorinated aromatic polyamides derived from two novel monomers, 5-(4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)isophthaloyl dichloride (3FPC) and 5-(3.5-bistrifluoromethyl-phenoxy)isophthaloyl dichloride (6FPC) with various aromatic diamines were synthesized and characterized. Experimental results indicated that the fluorinated aromatic polyamides showed good solubility in many organic solvents. The solubility of the polyamides was affected by the trifluoromethyl substituents and the pendent phenoxy groups in the polymer backbone. The fluorinated polyamides have good thermal stability with the glass transition temperature of 206-285 degreesC, the temperature at 5% weight loss of 442-460 degreesC in nitrogen. The polyamide films also exhibited good mechanical properties and excellent electrical and dielectric properties. The fluorinated groups in the polymer backbone have played an important role in the improvement of electrical and dielectric performance of polymer. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.