Arylidene polymers are showing a preferred main chain conformation in the solution phase when subjected to the circular dichorism (CD) analysis. Probably the first time a non-azo, achiral and acrylate derivative of arylidene compound when subjected to polymerization is oriented itself in a definite helical form. Ultraviolet (UV) light cross-linking of these polymers induces the main chain asymmetric transformation from one preferred conformation to another conformation. Concentration independent nature of the conformational change was observed and the CD spectrum showing a blue shift at 270 nm due to loss in the conjugation of the molecule upon irradiation with UV light. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.