Abstract: The present invention relates to a tetraketone of the structure ##STR1##wherein M is a metal atom and R is selected from phenyl, alkyl substituted phenyl or halogen substituted phenyl. The process to prepare this tetraketone is disclosed. The present invention also relates to a process to produce the tetraketone structure(I). The present invention also relates to the novel polymer of the structure: ##STR2##and to the process to produce this novel polymer. R is as defined hereinabove, and Ar is a tetraamine substituted organic moiety having at least one aromatic ring. These polymers are useful as liquid crystals and in non-linear optical devices.