New poly[(silylene)arylene] statistical copolymers with sigma-conjugated silicon and pi-conjugated carbon main-chain units are reported. They are synthesized in single-stage reactions by the Wurtz-type co-condensation of a dichlorosilylene and a dibromoaryl. Soluble polymers have been prepared with symmetrically and asymmetrically substituted silicon atoms, and several different arylene groups have been introduced into the polymer chains. The composition of the copolymers can be varied in a controlled way by altering the stoichiometry of the reaction mixture. The u.v.-visible spectra of the copolymers correlate with the degree of silicon catenation.