New polyamides containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole and naphthalene rings were prepared by low-temperature solution polycondensation reaction of a new diamine containing preformed oxadiazole ring with various aromatic diacid chlorides. Elemental analysis, mass, infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were used to confirm the structure of the monomers and corresponding polymers. The thermal stability and glass transition temperatures of these poly(oxadiazoleamide)s were measured and compared with those of related polymers. Their good solubility allows them to be processed in very thin films with smooth surfaces, without pinholes or cracks, when studied by atomic force microscopy. Upon irradiation with UV light the polymers showed photoluminescence maxima in the blue spectral range, both in solution and in solid state. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was performed in order to obtain information about the electrochemical stability and reversibility of the redox processes of these polyamides. The highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels, and electrochemical and optical band gap values were calculated by using the results of CV and UV/vis, respectively, showing very good electron and hole injection and transport characteristics. These properties make the present polymers suitable for application in electroluminescent devices. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 49: 893-906, 2011