Disclosed is a bis-imide compound comprising two or more aryl moieties substituted with ethynyl moieties and the two or more aryl moieties each having one or more polar substituents. Further disclosed is a polymer composition comprising a copolymer polymerized from a monomer mixture of (a) one or more first monomers comprising a bis-imide compound comprising two or more aryl moieties substituted with ethynyl moieties and the two or more aryl moieties each having one or more polar substituents; and (b) one or more second monomers comprising two or more cyclopentadienone moieties. The polymer compositions exhibit favorable properties for use in electronics and displays applications.