Poly(amide-imide)s (PAI) bearing azobenzene chromophore groups were prepared by allowing a hydroxyl-containing azobenzene dye (Disperse Red 1) to react with and reactive-terminated PAI with weight-average molecular weights ranging from similar to 1.2 to 2.0 x 10(4) g/Mol. Such PAI were prepared by the condensation of trimellitic anhydride (TMA) and 4,4'-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). The final polymers presented a deep red color, with an absorption maxima in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution at 490 nm, close to the azobenzene reactant used (Disperse Red 1) and molecular weights slightly higher than the pristine polymer, showing that the azo chromophore incorporation reaction does not lead to side reactions. The azofunctionalized polymer presented a high T-g value (170 degrees C) that could be increased by a thermal curing process to 240 degrees C. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.