The present article endeavors to synthesize new polyamides via direct polycondensation of various diamines [hexamethylene diamine, rho-phenylene diamine, 2,5-bis(m-aminobenzylidene) cyclopentanone, and 2,6-bis (m-aminobenzylidene) cyclohexanone] with different bis (carboxy-substituted) hydrazines such as [1,2-bis(3-carboxy acrylyl) hydrazine and 1,2-bis(3-carboxybenzoyl) hydrazine]. The polycondensation reaction of 1,2-bis(3-p-hydroxyanilide acrylyl) hydrazine with the same bis(carboxy-substituted) hydrazines gave polyester amides. The poly-condensation process was run in the presence of CaCl(2), triethylphosphite, and pyridine as a catalyst. These polymers were characterized by FTIR, (1)H-NMR, solubility, TGA, DSC, X-ray, mechanical properties, and electrical conductivity. The electrical conductivity measurements showed that all new polymers show promise as insulators. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 122: 1152-1161, 2011