New conjugated polymers based on thienylene-PPV derivatives were prepared to be used as an active thin film layer in organic solar cells. The synthesis was achieved by oxidative coupling based on FeCl3 as an oxidant. These polymers are soluble in most common organic solvents, show high molecular weights and have a band gap between 1.55 and 1.94 eV. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.