High molecular weight poly(9,10-bis(p-(2-ethylhexyloxy)phenyl)-2,6-anthracenevinylene) (2,6-PAV) was synthesized with 2,6-dimethylanthraquinone as a key intermediate. The as-synthesized polymer is readily soluble in common organic solvents and can be used for spin-coating. The as-synthesized polymer exhibits a broad absorption band ranging from 280 to 520 nm and a bluish green emission band with a peak at 500 nm. The polymer shows good thermal stability, and no distinct glass transition is observed. A simple device with the configuration ITO/PEDOT:PSS/2,6-PAV/Ba/Al showed a turn-on voltage of 4.8 V and a maximal brightness of 340 cd.m(-2).