Three novel polyimides (PIs) having pendent 4-(quinolin-8-yloxy) aniline group were prepared by polycondensation of a new diamine with commercially available tetracarboxylic dianhydrides, such as pyromellitic dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, and bicyclo[2.2.2]-oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride. These PIs were characterized by FTIR, H-1 NMR, and elemental analysis; they had high yields with inherent viscosities in the range of 0.4-0.5 dl g(-1), and exhibited excellent solubility in many organic solvents such as N,N-dimethyl acetamide, N,N'-dimethyl formamide, N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl sulfoxide, and pyridine. These PIs exhibited glass transition temperatures (T-g) between 250 and 325 degrees C. Their initial decomposition temperatures (T-i) ranged between 270 and 450 degrees C, and 10% weight loss temperature (T-10) up to 500 degrees C with 68% char yield at 600 degrees C under nitrogen atmosphere. Transparent and hard polymer films were obtained via casting from their NMP solutions. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 119: 983-988, 2011