The "push-pull" electronically substituted systems poly(2[5]-chloro-5[2]-(n-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) and poly(2[5]-bromo-5[2]-(n-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene)-1 and 2, respectively-were synthesized by a modified soluble precursor route. Thermal elimination of polyether precursors to 1 and 2 yields the final conjugated polymers as free-standing, flexible red films. The polyether precursors may be film-cast from methanol to make light emitting diode (LED) devices which have red light emission in the 620 nm region. The ease of synthesis and processibility of 1 and 2 make these promising candidates for red light emitting LEDs.