A novel thiophene monomer containing a meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (MTPP) unit linked via an alkyl spacer was synthesized and characterized. This monomer was copolymerized in the presence of 3-dodecylthiophene (MDT) in different ratios MTPP: MDT (1:2, 1:4, and 1:6), using FeCl3 as oxidizing agent, to give the corresponding copolymers (CP12, CP14, and CP16). In addition, MTPP and MDT were also homopolymerized under the same reaction conditions to give homopolymers PTPP and PDT, respectively. The obtained compounds were characterized by FTIR and H-1 NMR spectroscopy. The optical properties of the polymers were studied by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy in THF solution. All polymers exhibited the typical absorption bands of the porphyrin: a Soret band at =422nm and four Q-bands between =500-700nm. Moreover, an additional band was observed at =328nm, due to the polythiophene backbone. CP14 and CP16 showed intense emission in the region between = 550-800nm.