Three kinds of liquid crystalline aromatic azomethine modifiers were synthesized with high yield, and the modification of bismaleimide resin (BMI) with them was studied by scanning electron microscope, polarizing optical microscope, thermogravimetric analyzer, differential scanning calorimetry, and rheolometry. Blends cured at the temperature of liquid crystalline phase were found to have oriented liquid crystal-rich phase and improved mechanical properties. The addition of o,o'-diallyl bisphenol A in the blends of BMI decreases thermal properties but shows little effect on phase structures. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.