Abstract Three polar poly (para-phenylene ethynylene) s (PPE) were synthesized by utilizing the Heck–Sonogashira protocol. Two of the PPEs carry β-glucopyranose substituents. Depending upon the linker used between the glycol units and the backbone, the fluorescence of these PPEs can be quenched by Hg 2+ and Pb 2+ to a varying degree. Monomeric model compounds that are substituted with only one glucose unit are not ...