Dehydrogenative coupling of phenylgermane catalyzed by Cp(2)ZrCl(2) or Cp*CpZrCl(2) used in conjunction with (n)BuLi (two equivalents) gives partially network polyphenylgermanes of high molecular weights (M(w) = 4.0-7.0 x 10(4)) in moderate yields. Resulting polyphenylgermanes are soluble in common solvents and a typical sample displays lambda(max) at 329 nm in UV absorption and shows T(d5) of 275 degrees C in the thermogravimetric analysis. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.