Alternating poly(amide urethane)s from epsilon-caprolactam, amino alcohols H2N-(CH2)(x)-OH (x = 2-6), and diphenyl carbonate were prepared by polycondensation of alpha-hydroxy-omega-O-phenylurethanes 4a-e. The degree of oligomerization was adjusted by the conversion. Oligomers with two or three O-phenylurethane end groups and predetermined molecular weight were prepared by polycondensation of the alpha-hydroxy-omega-O-phenylurethanes 4a-e in the presence of comonomers with O-phenylurethane end groups in a given concentration. In order to prepare oligomers with hydroxyl and carboxyl groups at both chain ends suitable for coupling reactions, chain analogous reactions were performed with amino acids and amino alcohols. The microstructure of the polymers and the nature of end groups was determined by means of H-1 NMR spectroscopy and the molecular weights were determined by means of gel permeation chromatography. The poly(amide urethane)s 5a-e prepared are semicrystalline materials with melting points between 150 and 200 degreesC. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.