The melt processability of phthalazinone-containing poly(aryl ether)s (PAEs) was improved through copolymerization and blending. Poly(phthalazinone ether ketone) (PPEK) copolymers containing phthalazinone and bisphenol-A (BPA) moieties were synthesized through nucleophilic substitution polycondensation. The PPEK copolymers exhibited high glass transition temperatures, excellent thermooxidative properties, good mechanical properties and improved solubility, all of which can be tailored by changing the molar ratio of phthalazinone to bisphenol monomers. The rheological investigation indicated that the incorporation of the flexible BPA moiety into the main chain lowered the melt viscosity of the copolymers. To improve the melt processability further, polymer blends of a PPEK copolymer/polycarbonate (PC) were prepared. The results suggested that blending is an effective approach for improving the melt processability of phthalazinone-containing PAEs. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.