A method for the synthesis of poly(etherimide)s comprises the reaction of 4-halotetrahydrophthalic anhydride with an activating primary amine to yield an activated 4-halotetrahydrophthalimide. Activated 4-halotetrahydrophthalimide may then be aromatized and treated with the disodium salt of a bis(phenol) to yield an activated bisimide. The activated bisimide may then be directly treated with a diamine to yield poly(etherimide)s.