Abstract: | A modified new aromatic diacid, bis(4‐carboxyphenyl) 4‐benzamide] dimethylsilane (IV) with preformed amide linkages and a silicon moiety was synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR, mass spectroscopy, and a physical constant. Novel poly(amide‐amide)s were synthesized from IV and aromatic diamines by Yamazaki's direct polyamidation method in N‐methyl pyrrolidinone. The polymers were obtained in excellent yields and showed reduced viscosities in the range of 0.42–6.15 dL/g. They were readily soluble in aprotic polar solvents. These poly(amide‐amide)s showed glass‐transition temperatures of 303–378°C as measured by DSC and showed no weight loss below 377°C in a nitrogen atmosphere. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 1610–1617, 2001 |