The effect ofN-substituents on the radical polymerization ofN-substituted maleimides (RMI) was investigated. The polymerization reactivities, i.e. yield and molecular weight of the polymers, were found to change depending on the structure of theN-substituents. The poly(RMI)s bearing a bulkyN-substituent were confirmed to be semiflexible poly(substituted methylene)s which were soluble in many organic solvents, but did not melt below their decomposition temperatures. From thermogravimetric analysis determined in a nitrogen stream, no weight-loss of poly(RMI) was observed at temperature below 300°C, and the maximum decomposition temperature was 400–440°C, except forN-tert-alkyl substituted derivatives which decomposed at 240–280°C via a two-step reaction.