Three new soluble vinylene-copolymers F, C, and P that contain 4-(anthracene-10-y1)-2,6-diphenylpyridine as common segment and fluorene, carbazole, or phenylene, respectively, as alternating segment were prepared by Heck coupling. The glass transition temperature was high for F and C (11.0 and 117 degrees C), whereas was lower than 25 degrees C for P. The polymers were stable up to similar to 300 degrees C. They emitted blue-green light with maximum located at wavelength of 456-550 nm, which was of the order F < C < P. The photoluminescence quantum efficiency in THF solution was similar to 30% for F and P and only 5% for C. All three copolymers were used as active layers for polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs) and organic photovoltaic cells. The double PLEDs with configuration of indium-tin oxide (ITO)/poly(ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) : poly(styrenesulfonate)(PSS) /Copolymer F, C, or P/TPBI(1,3,5-tris(2-N-phenylbenzimidazolyl)benzene)/Ca/Al were fabricated. Copolymer P emitted green light with maximum brightness of 28 cd/m(2) and a current yield of 0.85 cd/A. Organic photovoltaics with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT : PSS/Copolymer and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester blend (1 : 1)/Ca/Al were also fabricated. Copolymer P showed the highest power conversion efficiency of 0.034%. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 115: 731-739, 2010