A novel type of polyamides, N-benzoylated wholly aromatic polyamides, were synthesized by low-temperature solution polycondensation of a new aromatic bis(imidoyl) chloride, 4,4'-oxydianilinobis(benzimidoyl) chloride, with aromatic dicarboxylic acids, 4,4'-oxy-dibenzoic acid and isophthalic acid. Compared with the conventional all aromatic polyamides and also N-phenylated wholly aromatic polyamides, this N-benzoylated aramides exhibit better solubility in organic solvents, lower glass transition temperatures and thermal stability.