AbstractA general method for the preparation of aromatic poly (ether‐sulfone‐amide)s has been developed. Polymerization is based on the palladium‐catalyzed polycondensation of aromatic dibromides containing ether sulfone structural units, aromatic diamines, and carbon monoxide. Reactions were carried out in N, N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) in the presence of palladium catalyst, triphenylphosphine, and 1,8‐diazabicyclo [5,4,0]–7–undecene (DBU), and gave a series of poly (ether‐sulfone‐amide)s with inherent viscosities up to 0.86 dL/g under mild conditions. The polymers were quite soluble in strong acids, dipolar aprotic solvents, and pyridine. Thermogravimetry of the polymers showed excellent thermal stability, indicating that 10% weight losses of the polymers were observed in the range above 470°C in air. The glass transition temperatures of the polymers were around 230°C, which are higher than those of poly (ether‐sulfone) analogues. These polymers also showed the good tensile strengths and tensile modulus. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.