Several new poly(amide imide)s were synthesized through the polycondensation reactions of bis(4-trimellitimidophenyl) sulfone [NN'-(4,4'-diphenylsulfone) bistrimellitimide] with a number of hydantoin derivatives in a medium consisting of thionyl chloride, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and pyridine. The polycondensations produced a series of novel poly(amide imide)s in high yields with inherent viscosities of 0.20-0.46 dL/g. The resulting poly(amide imide)s were characterized with elemental analysis, viscosity measurements, thermogravimetric analysis, derivative thermogravimetry, solubility testing, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. All the polymers were soluble at room temperature in polar solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide, NN-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, tetrahydrofuran, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.