Abstract A series of α, ω-di-substituted phenyl polyenes, pX–Ph (CH= CH) n Ph–pY (n= 1, 2, or 3) were synthesized, and their ultraviolet (UV) absorption maximum wavelength were determined. The correlation between molecular structure and the maximum wavelength energy (wavenumber/cm− 1) was carried out. The results show that the maximum wavelength energy of the title compounds is mainly affected by both substituent excited- ...