Homo- and both random and block copolyaramides of high molecular weights, with sulfonated moieties in the backbone, were obtained by low temperature polycondensation technique in a dipolar aprotic solvent (NMP) using (a) free aromatic diamines in the presence of pyridine as acid acceptor and (b) N,N'-bis-trimethylsilyl derivatives of the diamines without additional acid acceptor. The addition of low molecular weight electrolytes (LiCl or CaCl2) and in some cases trimesoyl chloride to the reaction mixture was found to be favorable for the synthesis of high molecular weight polyamides. The materials had a theoretical ion exchange capacity of up to 3.14 meq/g. The membranes were characterized in terms of morphology, thermal stability, water-uptake, and ion exchange capacities. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.