A new epoxy resin containing both binaphthyl and biphenyl moieties in the skeleton (BLBPE) was synthesized and confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy, H-1-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. To evaluate the combined influence of two moieties, one epoxy resin containing binaphthyl moiety and another containing biphenyl moiety were also synthesized, and a commercial biphenyl-type epoxy resin (CER3000L) was introduced. Thermal properties of their cured polymers with phenol p-xylene resins were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical, and thermogravimetric analyses. The cured polymer obtained from BLBPE showed remarkably higher glass transition temperature and lower moisture absorption, as well as comprehensively excellent thermal stability. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 114: 3889-3895, 2009