Poly(phenylacetylene)s bearing monosaccharide pendant groups are synthesized in high yields by [Rh(nbd)Cl]2 catalyst.The polymers have high molecular weights and give satisfactory spectroscopic data corresponding to their molecular structures.They are thermally quite stable(≥300℃)and show strong circular dichroism signals in the visible spectral region owing to the helicity of the polyene backbone.The monosaccharide-containing polyacetylenes are cytophilic and can stimulate the growth of living cells.