High T(g) polyimides containing pendant phenolic hydroxyl groups were synthesized in high molecular weight via one-step solution polymerization of the dihydrochloride salt of 4,6-diaminoresorcinol with various commercially available dianhydrides. Polymerization proceeds via initial dissociation of diaminoresorcinol dihydrochloride to hydrogen chloride gas and diaminoresorcinol, followed by rapid dissolution of diaminoresorcinol and polymerization with the dianhydride monomer to afford soluble, fully-cyclized polyimide. The resulting poly (hydroxy-imide) s, which contain two phenolic hydroxyl groups per repeat unit, were soluble in amide solvents and dilute aqueous bases, displayed reasonably high glass transition temperatures and a high degree of water uptake.