A series of dicyanomethylene-substituted polymers having Y-type molecular architecture were synthesized by Knoevenagel condensation reaction. The polymers were found to be soluble in organic solvents like tetrahydrofuran and chloroform. From gel permeation chromatography, the molecular weights of the polymers were found to be in the range of 15,300-33,800 g/mol. Thermal analysis showed that the polymers were stable up to 350 degrees C with glass transition temperature (T-g) in the range of 129-212 degrees C. These polymers were found to form good optical quality films. The order parameter was calculated to be in the range of 0.01-0.48. Atomic force microscopy indicated prominent morphology changes due to alignment of dipoles after poling. By using Nd:YAG laser of 1064 nm, angular dependence and temperature dependence of second-harmonic generation intensity were investigated. The geometry optimization, shape of polymers, and restricted torsion angle between acceptor and donor substituents (push-pull system) were calculated. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 836-843