A series of functionalized linear poly(1‐vinylpyrene) (PVP) polymers bearing substituents such as NO2, CHO, NH2, Br, and CHC(CN)2, were prepared by chemical modification of PVP in solution. The degree of substitution in PVPCHC(CN)2 was varied from 40% to nearly 100% by control of the reaction conditions. The other polymers were partially functionalized. The UV‐visible and fluorescence spectroscopy of the polymers were studied in solution. The influence of solvent polarity, excitation energy, and degree of substitution on the fluorescence of the polymers were examined. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, In