A novel monomer containing a triaryl imidazole pendent group was successfully synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of bisphenol A with 2-(2-chloro-5-nitrophenyl)-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole (I). A series of new polyamides (PAs) with inherent viscosities of 0.95-1.2 dL/g was prepared by direct polycondensation of the diamine with various dicarboxylic acids. These PAs were readily soluble in many organic solvents and gave tough and flexible films by solution casting. These PM exhibited T(g)s between 189 degrees C and 252 degrees C, and 10% weight loss temperatures in excess of 400 degrees C with up to 68% char yield at 600 degrees C in air. All of the PAs emitted a greenish-yellow light in dilute THF solution, with photoluminescence (PL) quantum yields in the range of 10-25%. The chemiluminescent activity and electrochemical oxidation of the PAs were also investigated. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.