Poly(9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl)s with -OSi(R)(2)(R') groups at the 9,10-positions were synthesized by dehalogenative polycondensation of the corresponding monomers by using a zerovalent nickel complex. They showed number average molecular weights (M-n's) of 9800-69,000 and high quantum yields (62%-quantitative) in photolummescence. Palladium catalyzed copolymerization of 2,7dibromo-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene having -OCH3 or -OSi(R)(2)(R') groups at the 9,10-positions with diethynyl- or diboronic-aromatic compounds also gave photoluminescent polymers with high quantum yields. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.