This invention relates to the synthesis of Mq.sub.n-containing monomeric
compounds, comprising a polymerizable moiety, an Mq.sub.n-moiety, and an
optional chemical spacer therebetween, wherein q, in each instance,
comprises an 8-hydroxyquinoline residue, M is a metal such as Mg, Zn, Al,
Ga, or In, and n is 2 or 3 as the valence of the metal requires. For
example, the polymerization of Znq.sub.2- or Alq.sub.3-containing
monomers, in the presence or absence of a co-monomer, provided a
Znq.sub.2- or Alq.sub.3-containing polymer, which retained the optical
properties of Znq.sub.2 or Alq.sub.3 in solution, respectively. The
Mq.sub.n-containing polymers may be used in, among other things, the
fabrication of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).