A polyarylene ether comprising in polymerized form A) at least one tri- or higher functional compound and B) isosorbide. isomannide, isoidide or a mixture thereof, wherein the polyarylene ether is a polyarylene ether sulfone or a polyarylene ether ketone, ¢ process for its preparation and its use in the preparation of a coating, film, fiber, foam, membrane or molded article.