Bismaleimides containing either bisphenoxy phosphine oxide or bisphenoxy carbonyl linkages have been synthesized in high yields from bis(4-fluorophenyl) phenyl phosphine oxide or para-[bis(4-fluorobenzoyl) ]benzene via a two step process. The respective activated aryl halides were first reacted with aminophenates under nucleophilic conditions to form diamines which were subsequently reacted with maleic anhydride to yield first the bismaleamic acid and then catalytically cyclodehydrated to afford the bismaleimides. The materials were characterized by a number of spectroscopic and chromatographic methods to ensure that the intended structures were quantitatively obtained. DSC analysis of the phosphine oxide bismaleimides showed that they have crystalline melting points around 100°C and cured to reasonably tough networks which exhibited glass temperatures around 380-400°C by DMTA and TMA. The phosphine oxide bismaleimides demonstrated an exothermic curing peaks >180°C, suggesting that a practical processing range exists. Qualitatively the networks show excellent flame resistance compared to commercial controls. In contrast, the ether ketone bismaleimides showed higher melting behaviors and also had glass transition temperatures around 400°C. / Ph. D.