Five fluorescence polymers with poly(perylene-alt-phenyleneethynylene)s (PPPEs) backbone and multiple side chains containing ester-groups were synthesized via Sonogashira coupling reaction. These polymers were soluble in common organic solvents to form red-orange solution. The polymer powders had dark red color. The absorption/emission spectra of these polymers were similar, with absorption bands between 300 and 600 nm and an emission peak between 520 and 700 nm. Furthermore, the ester groups of the side chains were partially or completely hydrolyzed, resulting in the fluorescence PPPEs with tunable density of carboxylic acid functional groups on the polymer chains as interaction/reaction sites for further applications. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 1880-1886