A novel benzyl cation type cross-linker, hex-1, 6-ylenebis [oxy (2, 4, 6-tris (acetyloxymethyl)- 3, 5-dimethylbenzene)](HOAD), that suppresses acid-catalyzed self-polycondensation has been developed. Furthermore, a negative-working, photosensitive poly (phenylene ether)(PSPPE) based on poly (2, 6-dimethyl-1, 4-phenylene ether)(PPE), HOAD, and diphenylidonium 9, 10-dimethoxyanthracene-2-sulfonate (DIAS) as a photoacid generator ...