Chemical dehydrochlorination of 1,1,1- and 1,1,2-trichloroethanes with anhydrous potassium hydroxide (KOH) in the presence of a poly(ethylene glycol) oligomer as phase transfer catalyst leads to polymeric carbons with partly carbynoid structures. The FTIR spectra show a strong band at 2130 cm(-1) and FT-Raman exhibits a strong line at around 1900 cm(-1), either of which is interpreted as the C=C-C stretching mode of the linear carbon chain with alternating carbon-carbon triple and single bonds (polyyne). Carbons prepared by this technique are amorphous nanoparticles with diameters in the 30-50 range nm. After iodine doping they have de conductivities of 10(-3) S cm(-1). (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.