A series of novel poly(aryl ether sulfone) copolymers containing dicyanophenyl group were prepared by the reaction of bis(4-chlorophenyl)sulfone with (3,4-dicyano) phenylhydroquinone and 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol. On this basis, a series of poly(aryl ether sulfone)s containing metallophthalocyanine units were synthesized by the reaction of poly(aryl ether sulfone)s containing dicyanophenyl group with excessive amounts of 1,2-dicyanobenzene and the corresponding metal salt in quinoline. All these copolymers were found to have high glass transition temperature and thermal stability. These copolymers were found to be soluble in common solvents, and capable of forming transparent films by solution casting. The copolymers containing metallophthalocyanine units showed strong optical absorption in the visible region, and exhibited blue photoluminescence in solution. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.