In the past forty years

rapid development of high technology

particularly in aerospace

electronic

mechanical and chemical industries

and subsequently in separation process industries

puts new demands on heat - resistant polymers. Aromatic heterocyclic polymers

which have the ability to withstand high temperature are thermally stable polymers. This paper briefly reviews several important aromatic heterocyclic polymers

namely polyimides

polybenzimidzoles

polybenzoxazoles

polythiodiazoles

polyphenylquinoxalines

polyphenyl - 1

2

4 - triazines and polyprrolones. Either all or one of them can meet the needs for the above mentioned high technology. It is believed that the research work and applications of these polymers can be continually developed in the future.