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).