Synthesis 2019; 51(03): 677-682
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1611368
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Scalable Synthesis of Naphthothiophene and Benzodithiophene Scaffolds as π-Conjugated Synthons for Organic Materials

Andrea Nitti*
a   Department of Chemistry and INSTM Research Unit, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy   Email: andrea.nitti01@universitadipavia.it   Email: dario.pasini@unipv.it
,
Gabriele Bianchi
b   Research Center for Renewable Energies and Environment, Istituto Donegani, Eni Spa, Via Fauser 4, 28100 Novara, Italy
,
Riccardo Po
b   Research Center for Renewable Energies and Environment, Istituto Donegani, Eni Spa, Via Fauser 4, 28100 Novara, Italy
,
a   Department of Chemistry and INSTM Research Unit, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy   Email: andrea.nitti01@universitadipavia.it   Email: dario.pasini@unipv.it
› Author Affiliations

We thank Eni S.p.A. through its University contact branch Eni Corporate University (contract with the University of Pavia No. C49/09/13), and for research contracts through the INSTM consortium, and the University of Pavia for a Postdoctoral Fellowship to AN
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 13 October 2018

Accepted: 05 November 2018

Publication Date:
13 December 2018 (online)


Abstract

The synthesis on a gram-scale and the full characterization of naphtho[1,2-b]thiophene and benzo[1,2-b:6,5-b']dithiophene 4-carboxylate esters bearing 2-octyldodecyl side chains, and their stannylated and brominated derivatives, suitable for their insertion into π-conjugated polymers is described. The fully soluble and processable synthons are obtained through a cascade sequence of reactions, namely direct arylation and cross aldol condensation, which create an effective pathway for the annulation and π-extension of suitable, commercially available reagents. The newly reported synthesis are compared, whenever possible, using ‘green chemistry metrics’ with literature synthesis, showing dramatic improvements.

Supporting Information