An alkyne-functionalized ruthenium(II) bis-terpyridine complex is directly copolymerized with phenylacetylene by alkyne polymerization. The polymer is characterized by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), H-1 NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements, and thermal analysis. The photophysical properties of the polymer are studied by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. In addition, spectro-electrochemical measurements are carried out. Time-resolved luminescence lifetime decay curves show an enhanced lifetime of the metal complex attached to the conjugated polymer backbone compared with the Ru(tpy)(2)(2+) model complex. <boxed-text content-type="graphic" position="anchor"> <graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="urn:x-wiley:10221336:media:marc201300806:marc201300806-abs-0001">image</graphic