A process for producing polymers of α,ω-unsaturated conjugated compounds, which comprises reacting a precursor monomer of the formula (I), wherein Pdenotes -SR3, -SO-R3, -SO2-R3, -COOR3, -NO2, -CN, -CF3or R3; Ldenotes -Cl, -Br, -I, -O-tosylate, -O-mesylate, -O-triflate, - (NR33)⊕or -(SR3R4)⊕; R1, R2are the same or different and denote H, R3or P; R3, R4are independently, a straight chain or branched alkyl group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, phenyl or benzyl, either of which can be substituted once or twice with -R3, -OR1, -NO2, -CN, Br, Cl, F; or R3and R4together are -(CH2)4or -(CH2)5- and Aan aromatic system comprising from 4 to 20 carbon atoms, which can optionally be substituted, with a base in a solvent, characterized in that on reaction of the base with the compound of the formula (I) a polymer is formed which is essentially soluble in said solvent, and a salt is formed as a by-product, which is essentially soluble in said solvent, and that said solvent comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of a) amides of the general formula (II) R5-CO-NR6Hb) amines of the general formula (III) R72-N-R8c) sulfones of the general formula (IV) R8-SO2-R9d) sulfoxides of the general formula (V) R8-SO-R9e) a solvent from the group consisting of alcohols, polyalcohols, glycols and polyethers; wherein R5, R6are the same or different and denote H, a straight chain or branched alkyl group, or R5and R6together are -(CH2)2-, -(CH2)3-or -(CH2)4-; R7has the meaning of R5or a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, methyl and methoxy groups and R8, R9are the same or different and denote R7, except H, R8and R9together are -(CH2)2-, -(CH2)3-, -(CH2)4- or -CH2-CH = CH-CH2-. According to the novel process chemically and thermally stable, high molecular weight polymers of high purity and high regularity are obtained in good yield. If the products of the novel process carry groups that undergo elimination to form double bonds, high quality electroluminescent materials can be prepared.