A series of polyamides 6,4 were prepared from 1,6-hexanediamine and active esters of 2,3-di-O-acylated L-tartaric acid by polycondensation in solution. Both O-alkoyl and O-benzoyl esters were used as hydroxyl protecting groups. The resulting acylated polytartaramides were found to be semicrystalline polymers with T-m between 100 and 200 degrees C and T-g slightly above 100 degrees C. Controlled hydrolysis of the ester side group led to the preparation of poly(hexamethylene L-tartaramide)s with different content in free hydroxyl groups. These polyamides continue being crystalline but their properties largely differ from those displayed by their parent acylated polymers. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.