Poly 2,6-[1,5-bis(dodecyloxy)naphthylene vinylene] is synthesized by microwave-assisted McMurry polymerization utilizing low-valent titanium generated from titanium tetrachloride and zinc. The obtained polymer is fluorescent with an average molecular weight of approximately 65,000 g/mol and a polydispersity of M-w/M-n approximate to 3. Absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy in solution and on spin-cast thin films reveal that the bis-alkoxy substituted PNV has a short effective Conjugation length but a quite efficient exciton migration. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.