ABSTRACT:Two novel soluble conjugated polythiophenes, poly [3-(N-hexyl-4-piperidinemethylene)-thiophene] and poly [3-(N-caproyl-4-piperidinemethylene)-thiophene] have been synthesized successfully. Structures of the monomers and the corresponding soluble polymers were elucidated by 1 H NMR, MS, and IR. In addition, the polymers were also characterized by cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy. Photoluminescence spectra and UV-vis spectra of the two polythiophenes in both solution and solid state were also investigated, and all peaks were bathochromically shifted when they were measured in the solid state. The results of optical and electrochemical measurements indicated that the carbonyl group on the side chain has influence on the electrochemical properties of the conjugated polythiophenes. The electrochemical measurements indicated that the two conjugated polythiophenes may be a promising candidate for the application in polymer photovoltaic cells and field-effect transistors. C 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 00: 1-12, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com.