Two novel series of ambipolar and near-infrared electrochromic aromatic polyamides with electroactive anthraquinone group were synthesized from new aromatic diamines, 2-(bis(4-aminophenyl)amino)anthracene-9,10-dione and 2-(4-(bis(4-aminophenyl) amino) phenoxy) anthracene-9,10-dione, respectively, via low-temperature solution polycondensation reaction. These polymers were readily soluble in many polar solvents and showed useful levels of thermal stability associated with high glass-transition temperatures (T-g) (285-360 degrees C). Electrochemical studies of these electrochromic polyamides revealed ambipolar behavior with reversible redox couples and high contrast ratio both in the visible range and near-infrared region. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 50: 61-69, 2012