A class of polyesters comprising recurring units having certain bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenylene radicals is disclosed. The polyesters exhibit favorable solubility properties in certain organic solvents so as to facilitate the production of the polyesters via polycondensation methods to film- and fiber-forming molecular weights. Monomeric compounds comprising a bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenylene radical and useful for the production of the polyesters are also disclosed.