The optical and electrical characteristics of soluble polyphenylene (PPH) homopolymers obtained by the complete dehydrogenation of poly(1,3-cyclohexadiene) (PCHD) are reported for the first time. The optical properties were strongly affected by the molar ratios of 1,241,4-phenylene (Ph) units. The HOMO and LUMO energy levels were approximately -5.2 and -2.0 eV, and the microstructure did not influence those energy levels or the band gap energies. The generation of carriers (both electron and hole) in the polymer films was observed, and the drift mobility of electrons and holes was affected by the molar ratios of 1,241,4-Ph units in the polymer chain. The drift mobility of electrons in PPH homopolymers with a high content of 1,4-Ph units was in the order of 10(-4) to 10(-1) (cm(2)/VS). The I-V characteristics of soluble PPH homopolymers were controllable by the microstructure of PPH. The 1,2-Ph unit imparted appropriate solubility and toughness to the PPH homopolymers. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.