Blue-emitting phenylated quinoline conjugated derivatives in liquid and solid phases have generated considerable interest owing to their high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yields. A blue light-emitting material, methoxy (OCH3) substituted diphenyl quinoline (2,4'-methoxy phenyl, 4-phenyl quinoline) has-been synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence measurements. Two absorption peaks at 270 and 330 nm due to conjugated side and pi-pi* transition of the conjugated main chains, respectively, are reported. The synthesized polymeric compound demonstrates a bright emission in blue region at 434 nm in the solid. It also shows hypsochromic shift in THF and bathochromic shift in formic acid. The PL spectra of thin films of the OMe-DPQ embedded in PMMA matrix were investigated. The OMe-DPQ exhibits a concentration tunable photoluminescence. A narrow full width at half-maximum (FWHM) value of PL spectra can be obtained, may be useful for developing OLED or solar cell devices, or in chemical sensors. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.