CF3-bearing wholly aromatic polyketones were prepared via trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH)-mediated electrophilic aromatic aroylation polycondensation of CF3-bearing 2,2'-diaryloxybiphenyls with arenedicarbonyl dichlorides. 2,2'-bis[4-(4-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)phenoxy]biphenyl has good polymerizability and high adaptability against several arenedicarbonyl dichlorides. Against acyl-acceptant monomer having relatively small content of CF3 group, AlCl3 is also efficient acidic mediator in the condensation polymerization. The characteristic dependence of polymerizability and polymer property up on the number and position of CF3 groups, the length of the side chains, and the kind of the arenedicarbonyl residues are also discussed. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.