3-Phenothiazinyl propiolates – Fluorescent electrophores by Sonogashira coupling of ethyl propiolate

Abstract

Fluorescent ethyl 3-phenothiazinyl propiolates with reversible Nernstian oxidation potentials were efficiently synthesized by an improved Sonogashira coupling of aryl iodides and ethyl propiolate. The versatility of this modified alkynylation was illustrated by 13 ethyl 3-arylpropiolates in mostly excellent yields with a broad substrate scope. In addition to reversible one-electron oxidations, the title compounds reveal large Stokes shifts, high fluorescence quantum yields, and solvatochromic emission. The photophysical characteristics were corroborated and rationalized by DFT and TD-DFT calculations.