Novel bisphenol monomers (1a-d) containing phthalimide groups were synthesized by the reaction of phenolphthalein with ammonia, methylamine, aniline, and 4-tert-butylanilne, respectively. A series of cardo poly (arylene ether sulfone)s was synthesized via aromatic nucleophilic substitution of 1a-d with dichlorodiphenylsulfone, and characterized in terms of thermal, mechanical and gas transport properties to H-2, O-2, N-2, and CO2. The polymers showed high glass transition temperature in the range 230-296 degrees C, good solubility in polar solvents as well as excellent thermal stability with 5% weight loss above 410 degrees C. The most permeable membrane studied showed permeability coefficients of 1.78 barrers to O-2 and 13.80 barrers to CO2, with ideal selectivity. factors of 4.24 for O-2/N-2 pair and 28.75 for CO2/CH4 pair. Furthermore, the structure-property relationship among these cardo poly(arylene ether sulfone)s had been discussed on solubility, thermal stability, mechanical, and gas permeation properties. The results indicated that introducing 4-tert-butylphenyl group improved the gas permeability of polymers evidently. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.