Synthesis of Molecular Wires by a Novel Divergent/Convergent Approach

摘要

Described is the synthesis of oligo(2-ethylphenyl-ethynylene)s and oligo(2-(3'ethylheptyl)phenyl-ethynylene)s via an iterative divergent convergent approach. Synthesized were the monomer, dimer, tetramer, and octamer of the ethyl derivative and the monomer, dimer, tetramer, octamer, and 16-mer of the ethylheptyl derivative. The 16-mer is 128 A long. At each stage in the iteration, the length of the framework doubles. Only three sets of reaction conditions are needed for the entire iterative synthetic sequence; an iodination, a protodesilation, and a Pd/Cu-catalyzed cross coupling. The oligomers were characterized spectroscopically and by mass spectrometry.