Accordingly the present invention provides a process for the preparation of polymers which comprises reacting (1) an aralkyl ether of the general formula R 2 la. and/or an aralkyl halide of the general formula wherein R' is a divalent or trivalent aromatic hydrocarbon or hydrocarbonoxy radical, R is a divalent or trivalent aromatic hydrocarbon radical, R' and R optionally containing inert substit