A novel molybdenum oxytetrachloride (MoOCl4)-based ternary catalyst, molybdenum oxytetrachloride/diethylzinc/ethanol (MoOCl4-Et2Zn-EtOH), induces the living polymerization of o-(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetylene. A catalyst composition of MoOCl4:Et2Zn:EtOH (mole ratio = 1:1:3)and anisole as polymerization solvent are favorable. The ratio of weight- to number-average molecular weights <(M)over bar (w)>/<(M)over bar (n)>, of the polymer was as small as 1,03, and the initiator efficiency was 8%. Living polymerization was verified by multistage polymerization. The polymerization proceeded in a living fashion in the temperature range from 0 to 30 degrees C. The catalyst yielded polymers with small <(M)over bar (w)>/<(M)over bar (n)> values also from other phenylacetylenes with bulky ortho substituents and 1-chloro-1-octyne.