a process for manufacturing a polymer composed of an alkyl substituted poly having a chemical formula which is at least one of : ## str1 ## wherein r and r &# 39 ; are h or an alkyl group having not less than 1 carbon atom , except that at least one of r and r &# 39 ; is an alkyl group having not less than 3 carbons , ` n ` is a degree of polymerization and is not less than 10 , the process including : providing at least one alkyl substituted 5 , 5 &# 39 ;- dihalogenated - 2 , 2 &# 39 ;- bipyridine having alkyl substituents in the 3 -, 4 - or 6 - position of two pyridinediyl groups ; and polymerizing the at least one alkyl substituted 5 , 5 &# 39 ;- dihalogeanted - 2 , 2 &# 39 ;- bipyridine by adding an effective amount thereto of at least one substance which is effective to remove halogens therefrom , which at least one substance is selected from the group consisting of at least one metal which is capable of dehalogenating the alkyl substituted 5 , 5 &# 39 ;- dihalogenated - 2 , 2 &# 39 ;- bipyridine and at least one compound containing at least one metal which is capable of dehalogenating alkyl substituted 5 , 5 &# 39 ;- dihalogenated - 2 , 2 &# 39 ;- bipyridine .