An alternating copolymer was synthesized by Suzuki reaction from 4,4 '-dibromo-p-quaterphenyl (PPP oligomer) and 9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diboronic acid in good yield (84%). The copolymer is partially crystalline, readily soluble in organic solvents, presents high fluorescence quantum yield (85.6%) and high thermal stability. The copolymer absorption as well as the emission spectra are red shifted compared to those of monomers. Ultrafast time-resolved fluorescence experiments on the copolymer were carried out and confirmed the results obtained from stationary experiments. The copolymer fluorescence decay is found to be bi-exponential with fluorescence lifetimes of 297 +/- 6 ps and 942 +/- 5 ps. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.