A bis(ether anhydride) monomer, 1,1-bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]cyclohexane dianhydride (IV-A), was synthesized from the nitro displacement of 4-nitrophthalodinitrile by the phenoxide ion of 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane (I-A), followed by alkaline hydrolysis of the intermediate bis(ether dinitrile) and dehydration of the resulting bis(ether acid). A novel series of organosoluble poly(ether imide)s (VIa-i)(PEIs) bearing cyclohexylidene cardo groups was prepared from the bis(ether anhydride) IV-A with various aromatic diamines Va-i via a conventional two-stage process. The PEIs had inherent viscosities in the range of 0.48-1.02 dL/g and afforded flexible and tough films by solution-casting because of their good solubilities in organic solvents. Most PEIs showed yield points in the range of 89-102 MPa at stress-strain curves and had tensile strengths of 78-103 MPa, elongations at breaks of 8-62%, and initial moduli of 1.8-2.2 GPa. The glass-transition temperatures (T-g's) of these PEIs were recorded between 200 -234 degreesC. Decomposition temperatures of 10% weight loss all occurred above 490 degreesC in both air and nitrogen atmospheres, and their residues were more than 43% at 800 degreesC in nitrogen atmosphere. The cyclohexane cardo-based PEIs exhibited relatively higher T-g's, better solubilities in organic solvents, and better tensile properties as compared with the corresponding Ultem(R) PEI system. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.