1,4-Bis(vinyldiphenylsilyl)benzene (1) has been prepared and copolymerized by Pt-catalyzed hydrosilylation with 1,9-dihydridodecamethylpentasiloxane (II), 3,5,7-tris(3',3',3'-trifluoropropyl)-1,1,3,5,7,9,9-heptamethylpentasilox ane (III) and two different alpha,omega-bis(hydrido)polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS). The monomers and polymers were fully characterized by IR, UV, H-1, C-13, F-19, and Si-29-NMR spectroscopy. The starting PDMS polymers and the product copolymers were further characterized by GPC, DSC, and TGA. The polymers showed thermal transitions characteristic to thermoplastic elastomers. The 1,4-bis(ethyldiphenylsilyl)benzene moieties displayed melting transitions above room temperature while copolymer glass transition temperatures were below room temperature. Fluorescence spectra and quantum efficiencies of I and copolymers have been determined. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.