The polycondensation of sebacic acids and omega-amino alcohols by microwave irradiation was studied. The results were compared to those obtained from conventional melt polycondensation of poly(amide-esters. It was found that the reaction proceeded at a much higher rate upon microwave irradiation. A high yield of thermally stable poly(amide-esters was obtained. The microwave-synthesized compounds were fully characterized by FTIR and H-1-NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and a solubility test. The thermal properties of the poly(amide-ester)s also were investigated. The results showed that the chemical-physical properties of the polymers were in good agreement with those of polymers obtained by conventional synthesis. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.