A series of polyimides having alkyloxycarbonyl side chains were synthesized from dialkyl 2,5-bis(4-aminophenoxy)terephthalate and PMDA. The inherent viscosities of poly(amic acid)s were in the 1.42similar to0.63dL/g range. The polyimides exhibit typical 2-step thermal degradation, and lowered transition temperature for longer side chain. Wide-angle X-ray diffractograms revealed that all polymers are partially crystalline, and layered structures were observed for polymers with longer side chain. The pretilt angle is in the 8degreessimilar to10degrees range, and increases as the length of the side chains increase.