A series of bismaleimides was synthesized from bis(4-amino-3, 5-dimethylphenyl) (X) phenyl methane (X = 3'chloro, 3'-bromo, 3'-benzyloxy, 4'-chloro, 4'-fluoro) and maleic anhydride. The bismaleimides were subsequently polymerized with various diamines by Michael addition to yield novel polyaspartimides. All the polymers exhibited good solubility m organic solvents and the inherent viscosity of the polymers were in the range of 0.40-0.56 dL/g, which is good enough to fabricate composites and films. The temperature at which 10% weight loss occurred was in the range of 390-441 degrees C. The polymers had high glass transition temperature in the range of 205-275 degrees C and left about 31.95-84.20% char yield at 800 degrees C indicating that they have good self-extinguishing property. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.