The synthesis and characterization by size exclusion chromatography, liquid chromatography, NMR, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, thermal analysis, and other techniques of well-defined and narrow molecular weight distribution macrocyclic polystyrene (PS), poly(2-vinylpyridine), poly(alpha-methylstyrene), poly (2-vinyl-naphthalene) (P2VN), and poly(9.9-dimethyl-2-vinylfluorene) (PDMVF) containing a single 1,4-benzylidene, methylidene, or 9,10-anthracenylidene unit are reviewed. The absorption and emission spectroscopy of PS, P2VN, and PDMVF is also discussed. (c) 2000 Wiley Periodicals. Inc.