Rapid bi-directional synthesis of oligo(1, 4-phenylene ethynylene)s

Abstract

A new method for the preparation of oligo(1, 4-phenylene ethynylene)s is described. Only two sets of reaction conditions are needed for the entire iterative synthetic sequence: (1) Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling of trimethylsilylacetylene with an aryl halide and (2) in situ desilylation/Pd-catalyzed coupling with an aryl iodide. This method provides a fast synthetic route to short length oligo(1, 4-phenylene ethynylene)s by oligomer growth at both ends. Only two sets of iterative reaction conditions are needed for the synthesis of oligo(1, 4-phenylene ethynylene)s by oligomer growth at both ends. [Display omitted]