New poly(arylene ether amide)s with trifluoromethyl pendent groups were prepared via nucleophilic nitro displacement reaction of AB-type monomers. 4-Nitro-3-trifluoromethyl-[N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)]benzamide (3) and 4-nitro-3-trifluoro-methyl-[N-(3-hydroxyphenyl)]benzamide (4) gave polymers with weight-average molecular weights over 42 000 g/mol and glass transition temperatures of 269degreesC and 213degreesC, respectively. Both polymers were soluble in common organic solvents including THF, and formed transparent films upon casting.