Carbazole-pyrene-based compounds were synthesized and fully characterized. Their photoluminescence properties were studied. Fluorescence quantum yield was improved dramatically by inserting pyrene as electron-acceptor. Blending 9-(3-(2-(1-(2-(3-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-9-p-tolyl-9H-carbazol-6-yl)ethynyl)p yren-6-yl)ethynyl)-9-p-tolyl-9H-carbazol-6-yl)-9H-carbazole (16) with poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK), simplified electroluminescent (EL) device with green emission was fabricated. Maximum luminance reached 1000 cd/m(2). (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.