Abstract: A soluble polyimide polymer with tethered oligomeric silsesquioxane compounds is produced using efficient, gentle reactions. A carboxylic acid attachment point on the polymer backbone is used to connect the oligomeric silsesquioxane. The oligomeric silsesquioxane compound includes an amine or an alcohol on an organic tether, which reacts with the carboxylic acid attachment point to produce either an amide or an ester bond. The amide or ester bond includes a carbonyl carbon directly connected to a phenyl group in the polymer backbone. The resultant polyimide polymer has many beneficial properties.