The synthesis of a series of octopolar 1,3,5-tris(ethynylphenyl)benzenes via Sonogashira coupling is described, varying the substituents on both the central benzene core as well as the acetylenic periphery. In particular, systems bearing an electron-rich core and an electron-poor periphery are obtained that display advanced optical properties. The linear (by UV−vis and fluorescence spectroscopy) and