Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of finite Ph2N-containing oligo(arylenevinylene) derivatives that emit blue to red fluorescence.

[structure: see text] A series of oligo(phenylenevinylene) (OPV) derivatives with finite conjugation units were prepared in short steps from few building blocks. The central and terminal aryl groups of these OPV dyes contain cyano and Ph(2)N substituents, respectively, which affect color of fluorescence. The wavelength ranges from 472 nm (blue) to 614 nm (red) depending on the position of the cyano group.