A general method for the preparation of aromatic poly(amide-imide)s, which involves the palladium-catalysed polycondensation of aromatic dibromides containing imide structural units, aromatic diamines and carbon monoxide, has been developed. Polymerizations were carried out in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) in the presence of palladium catalyst, triphenylphosphine and 1,8-diazabicycIo[5,4,0]-7-undecene (DBU), and gave a series of poly(amide-imide)s with inherent viscosities up to 0.66 dl g-1 under mild conditions. The polymers were quite soluble in strong acids, dipolar aprotic solvents and pyridine. Thermogravimetry of the polymers showed excellent thermal stability, indicating that 10% weight losses of the polymers were observed in the range above 460C in air. The glass transition temperatures of the polymers ranged from 240 to 262C. These polymers also showed good tensile strengths and moduli.