A fluorinated diamine, 1,3-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene (mBATB), was synthesized through nucleophilic substitution reaction of Resorcinol and 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzotrifluoride by catalytic reduction with H-2 gas and Pd/C. The synthesis and properties of a series of soluble fluorinated aromatic polyimides derived from mBATB and various dianhydrides via thermal and chemical imidization were described. Substituents of trifluoromethyl groups on the aromatic rings of metalinked ether aromatic diamine conferred enhanced solubility and transparency to the polyimide. The polyimides with various dianhydrides: 4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), 4,4'-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) and 4,4-(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic, anhydride (6FDA) also exhibited exceptional thermal stability, comparatively low dielectric constants, and excellent optical properties. The outstanding features of the synthesized transparent polyimides are desirable candidate materials for advanced optoelectronics applications. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.