Three series of novel modified poly(etherimideamide)s (PEIAs) having pendent benzazole units were prepared from diimidedicarboxylic acids, including 2-[3,5-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy) phenyl]benzimidazole, 2-[3,5-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy) phenyl]benzoxazole, and 2-[3,5-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy) phenyl]benzothiazole, with various diamines by direct polycondensation in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone with triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. These new diimidedicarboxylic acids containing ether linkages and benzazole pendent groups were synthesized by the condensation reaction of 5-(2-benzimidazole)-1,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene, 5-(2-benzoxazole)-1,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene, or 5-(2-benzothiazole)-1,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene with trimellitic anhydride, respectively. All of the polymers were obtained in quantitative yields with inherent viscosities of 0.390.65 dL/g. For comparative purposes, the corresponding unsubstituted PEIAs were also prepared by the reaction of a diimidedicarboxylic acid monomer lacking benzazole pendent groups, namely, 3,5-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy) phenyl, with the same diamines under similar conditions. The solubilities of the modified PEIAs in common organic solvents and their thermal stability were enhanced compared to those of the corresponding unmodified PEIAs. The glass-transition temperature, 10% weight loss temperature, and char yields at 800 degrees C were 1931 degrees C, 2257 degrees C and 48% higher, respectively, than those of the unmodified polymers. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012