Cationic polymerization of two styrene derivatives containing carbazole moiety with different linking topology, 9-(4-vinylphenyl) carbazole (M1) and 3-(4-vinylphenyl)-9-ethylcarbazole (M2), using 1-chloro-1-phenylethane (PhEtCl)/SnCl4 initiating system has been investigated. It was shown that polymerization of M1, which is characterized by higher electron density on the carbon at the 3 position of carbazolyl group than on vinyl group, proceeds predominantly via step-growth (SG) pathway through addition of protonated monomer/oligomers to 3-position of carbazolyl group (electrophilic aromatic substitution). On the contrary, M2, in which 3-position of carbazolyl group is protected via introduction of 4-vinylphenyl group, polymerized predominantly via chain-growth (CG) pathway through addition of carbocation to double bond of monomer. The polymers synthesized via SG mechanism showed different photophysical characteristics in comparison with corresponding monomer, while in case of polymers prepared via CG mechanism the polymer and monomer have the same absorption and fluorescence profiles. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.