This study focuses on the preparation, characterization, and optical properties of new bis(3,4-diphenylethynylphenyl)phenylamine. This is the first nitrogen-containing bis-ortho-diynylarene (BODA) monomer having a nitrogen atom as the spacer group. BODA monomers are usually prepared from common bisphenols, thereby providing great synthetic versatility and the opportunity to develop a wide array of novel polyarylene thermosets by varying the aromatic spacer group. The new bis(3,4-bisphenylethynylphenyl)phenylamine was synthesized in five steps. This compound emits an intense blue color (lambda = 438 nm) upon irradiation by UV light and may be suitable for use as an emitting layer in electroluminescent devices. Bis-(3,4-bisphenylethynylphenyl)phenylamine and its polymer have photoluminescence quantum yields 34 and 38%, respectively, and long excited-state lifetimes of 3.2 and 3.6 ns, respectively. The structure of the monomer and its polymer were characterized using spectroscopic techniques including Ultraviolet-visible Spectrophotometer, Photoluminescence Spectrophotometer, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, and Gel Permeation Chromatography. The polymerizations were studied by Differential Scanning Calorimeter. The amount of weight loss and the thermostability of the nitrogen-containing polymer were determined from thermogravimetric analysis. The electrical conductivity of neat HCI-doped BODA-derived polymer film was measured according to the standard four-point probe technique. (c) 2006 Wiley Peliodicals, Inc.