α,α-Dibromotoluene undergoes polymerization with excess Mg to give poly(phenylmethylene)s. It reacts with NaSO2Me at 110°C to yield a mixture of the monosulfone and α,α-disulfone. It undergoes copolycondensation with α,α′-dibromo-p-xylylene in the presence of excess Mg via nucleophilic substitution of in situ generated Grignard reagents.