A new route for the synthesis of soluble poly(aryl alkyl ketone)s was developed employing the cross-coupling reaction of an aryl dihalide and a diketone Iii the presence of a palladium complex and a sterically bulky phosphane. The solubility of the polymer can be controlled via the alpha -substituent next to the carbonyl group. The polyketone can be converted easily to a conjugated polymer upon treatment with a silylation agent.