We have synthesized a novel conjugated polymer composed of bipyridine and cyanostyryl groups. The polymer solution in DMF exhibited absorption maximum at 404 nm and emission maximum at 535 nm. Once the polymer in DMF solution was added a hydroxide anion, UV-visible and fluorescence spectra exhibited considerable changes in absorption intensity, absorption wavelength, and emission intensity. These optical changes of polymer solution with hydroxide anion show potential application in chemosensory material for anion. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.