In previous work a new non-ionic precursor route has been developed. This new route makes it possible to polymerise monomers which possess enlarged aromatic systems. High molecular weight poly(4,4＇-bisphenylene vinylene) (7a) and poly(2,6-naphthalene vinylene) (7b) were synthesised. The synthesis of the monomers, the precursor polymer and the conjugated polymers is discussed together with their characterisation.