Soluble poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) derivatives with long alkyl side chains were prepared by the Heck reaction. H-1-NMR measurement shows that these polymers have well-defined primary structures without defects such as mislinkages. Compared to UV-VIS absorption spectrum of poly(1,4-didodecyloxy-2,5-phenylene-vinylene-2',5'-phenylenevinylene) I, that of poly(1,4-didodecyloxy-2,5-phenylenevinylene-2',5'-thienylene-vinylene) II is red-shifted and chi((3))(1111)(3 omega; omega, omega, omega) of polymer I is enhanced to be 1.2 x 10(-11) esu for lambda(omega) = 1.907 mu m.