Abstract The synthesis and optical properties of a highly soluble (> 200 mg mL− 1) and highly fluorescent (Φ F in film= 0.64) 1, 2, 4-linking hyperbranched poly (arylenevinylene)(1, 2, 4-hb-PAV) prepared via Wittig reaction of A 3 (biphenyl-tricarbaldehyde) and B 2 (phosphonium salt) monomers is reported. The molecular weight of 1, 2, 4-hb-PAV can be precisely controlled by the amount of the base (NaOCH 3) used in the polymerization. The ...