Self-assembled layers of a poly(ketone) and a poly(benzil) with p-terphenylene units have been prepared from organic solutions on gold and copper. The layers formed were studied with contact angle measurements, ellipsometry, infrared spectroscopy at grazing incidence, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and surface profilometry. Most layer thicknesses are in a range expected for monolayers, but, depending on the system, "thick" layers are also observed. The IR spectra strongly change upon adsorption, indicating a chemical interaction between polymer and substrate. The results are compared to those of films of rigid-rod polymers with similar structural elements in the main chain.