High molecular weight, amorphous, soluble poly(arylene ether ketone)s are synthesized from 1,8-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)naphthalene and a variety of aromatic bisphenols. The polymers are characterized by gel permeation chromatography and by H-1 and C-13 NMR. The glass transition temperatures range from 214 to 270 degrees C, measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The 5% weight loss from these polymers by thermogravimetric analysis occurs all above 476 degrees C in nitrogen and 478 degrees C in air. Young’s moduli are between 0.70 and 4.40 GPa by thermomechanical analysis.