The synthesis of nine new polymers intended for future use in light emitting diodes is described. The polymers consist of alternating units of thiophene-arylidene-thiophene chromophores and saturated silicon-containing spacers. The arylidene moieties include benzene-1,4-, 2,5-dimethoxyhenzene-1,4-, naphthalene-1,4-, anthracene-9,10-, pyridine-2,5-, pyridine-2,6-, N-methylcarbazole-3,6-, 1,3,4-oxadiazole-2,5-, and 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bithiazole-5,5'-. The syntheses involved dibromination of the central arene followed by Suzuki or Kumada cross-coupling reactions with two thiophene units. Subsequent dilithiation and reaction with dihalosilylalkanes provided the polymers. Their optical properties, including ultraviolet-visible absorption and emission in solution, were comparable to those of the parent monomer units, and they possessed the physical characteristics of macromolecules. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.