Monomers 1,3-bis(4-phenylethynylphenyl)tetramethyldisiloxane and 1,7-bis(4-phenylethynylphenyltetramethyldisiloxy)-m-carborane were synthesized and compared with bis(4-phenylethynylphenyl)dimethylsilane as potential preceramic precursors. These monomers were heated to free flowing liquids above 100 degrees C and thermally polymerized above 300 degrees C to form heat-resistant thermosets or ceramic residues. The ceramic yields for the silane (13%) and siloxane (30%) were much lower than that for the carborane (64%) monomer. The thermoset and ceramic made from the carborane monomer were the best thermally and oxidatively stable materials. After curing, the thermoset had a weight loss of only 6% and after pyrolysis, the ceramic residue had no additional weight loss up to 1000 degrees C in air.