A stereocontrolled synthesis of a novel selenophene-based monomer namely (E,E)-1,4-dimethoxy-2,5-bis[2-(selenophen-2-yl)ethenyl[benzene has been successfully performed starting from 1,4-dimethoxybenzene. Its spectra, electrochemistry and polymerization have been studied. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.