We describe the synthesis of a new polymerizable coumarin derivative, [6-(beta-acryloxyethoxy)-7-isopropoxy-4-methyl coumarin (3)], whose UV absorption spectrum significantly overlaps the emission spectrum of 9-alkyl phenanthrene chromophore. This dye can serve several purposes in latex films. It can be a tracer for fluorescence microscopy experiments, or it can act as a donor or acceptor dye in nonradiative energy transfer experiments. Here we emphasize its role as an energy transfer acceptor in experiments with phenanthrene as the corresponding donor. Coumarin-labeled. poly(butyl methacrylate) latex dispersions could be synthesized by conventional batch emulsion polymerization with complete monomer conversion, complete dye incorporation, and uniform dye distribution. Attempts to extend this reaction to poly(vinyl acetate) copolymers failed because the dye inhibited monomer conversion. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.