The alternating copolymers containing tetraphenylethenes bonded to pseudo-para or pseudo-meta [2.2] paracyclophanes were synthesized by palladium catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. Relatively high molecular weights of polymers were obtained by the reaction of their corresponding comonomers using Pd(OAc)(2) as a catalyst with S-Phos as a ligand and K3PO4 as a base under a high base to monomer ratio. The maximum emission intensity of polymer in THF increases gradually as the addition of water fraction increases. The polymers exhibited aggregation-induced emission in aggregated state. In particular, the photoluminescence quantum yield of those tetraphenylethenes bonded to pseudo-meta [2.2] paracyclophanes is up to 0.334 when the water fraction reaches to 90%. The polymers used in the detection of 2,6-dinitrotoluene are more sensitive than that of small molecule containing the same conjugated segment of the polymers. They are promising candidates for potential uses in the optoelectronic applications. (c) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.