Two series of novel fluorinated poly(ether imide)s (coded IIIA and IIIB) were prepared from 2,6-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)naphthalene dianhydride and 2,7-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)naphthalene dianhydride, respectively, with various trifluoromethyl-substituted aromatic bis(ether amine)s by a standard two-step process with thermal or chemical imidization of the poly(amic acid) precursors. These fluorinated poly(ether imide)s showed good solubility in many organic solvents and could be solution-cast into transparent, flexible, and tough films. These films were nearly colorless, with an ultraviolet-visible absorption edge of 364-386 nm. They also showed good thermal stability with glass-transition temperatures of 221-298 degrees C, 10% weight loss temperatures in excess of 489 degrees C, and char yields at 800 degrees C in nitrogen greater than 50%. The 2,7-substituted IIIB series also showed better solubility and higher transparency than the isomeric 2,6-substituted IIIIA series. In comparison with nonfluorinated poly (ether imide)s, the fluorinated IIIA and IIIB series showed better solubility, higher transparency, and lower dielectric constants and water absorption. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.