Although acenes with more than three fused rings can both fluoresce efficiently and react with singlet oxygen (O-1(2)) rapidly, their hydrophobic nature presents a challenge to their use in aqueous environments. Herein we report a series of fluorescent, water-soluble random copolymers that each comprise (oligoethylene glycol) methacrylate (OEGMA) and one of several diarylacene methacrylates, including a tetracene methacrylate and a tetraceneothiophene methacrylate. Exposure to O-1(2) in water oxidizes the pendant acenes, resulting in diminution of their fluorescence intensities. The observed rate of oxidation of the tetracene-containing polymers compares favorably with a commercial O-1(2)-sensitive dye. Polymers that also include energy-donating coumarin side chains show ratiometric fluorescence changes in response to O-1(2). (C) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.