Pervaporation membranes derived from seven homopolymers of poly(amide-sulfonamide)s (PASAs) were prepared by casting 10-17% polymer solutions of N,N-dimethylacetamide. The membranes were characterized by sorption experiments, scanning electron microscope, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. During the pervaporation of 90 wt % aqueous solution of methanol, ethanol, l-propanol, and 2-propanol, all membranes were preferentially permeable to water, and their separation factors were mainly dependent on the molecular weight of the solvent. The exact structure of the PASAs had a profound effect on their pervaporation characteristics. Polymeric membrane based on N,N’-bis (4-aminophenylsulfonyl)-1,3-diaminopropane and isophthaloyl chloride exhibited the best selectivity factor of 1984 for a 10:90 (by weight) mixture of water/ethanol at 20 degrees C. However, the permeation rates of all materials for dehydration of 90 wt % ethanol were slow in a range of 6.6-34.4 g m(-2) h(-1).