A series of poly(arylene ether)s containing both oxadiazole and fluorene moieties were synthesized by reacting prepared bisphenol fluorenes with 2.5-bis(4-fluorophenyl-1.3.4-oxadiazole) in high yield. These poly(arylene ether)s exhibited very high glass transition temperatures and thermooxidative stability. They are very soluble in many common solvents and can be cast into colorless and transparent films. Their photoluminescent properties were fully investigated. and the results showed that the photoluminescent wavelength of these films ranged from 350 nm to 450 nm, respectively in the form of film. These results demonstrated that they could be used as purple-blue electroluminescent materials in purple-blue electroluminescent device. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.