Synthesis 2003(18): 2865-2871  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-42443
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Synthesis of 4′-Functionalized 2,2′:6′,2′′-Terpyridines via the Pyridone Route: Symmetric and Asymmetric Bis-Complex Formation

Philip R. Andresa,b, Harald Hofmeiera,b, Bas G. G. Lohmeijera, Ulrich S. Schubert*a,b
a Laboratory of Macromolecular Chemistry and Nanoscience, Eindhoven University of Technology and Dutch Polymer Institute, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Fax: +31(40)2474186; e-Mail: u.s.schubert@tue.nl;
b Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Geschwister-Scholl Platz 1, 80333 München, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received 9 July 2003
Publication Date:
21 October 2003 (online)

Abstract

2,2′:6′,2′′-Terpyridines functionalized in the 4′-position have been prepared by reaction of 2,6-bis-(pyrid-2-yl)-4-pyridone under basic conditions with different electrophiles. The electrophiles consist of functionalized alkyl chains, which are terminated with different anionic leaving groups such as bromides, chlorides and tosylates. These reactions yielded terpyridines, which were modified at the 4′-position with heptoxy-, bromodecanoxy-, cyanopropoxy-, allyloxy-, styrene-4-ethoxy-, as well as (methoxyethoxy)-ethoxy functionalities. In an approach towards new functional materials based on polymerizable bis-terpyridyl metal-ion complexes, the 4′-epoxy-methoxy terpyridine was complexed with Co(II) in order to yield the paramagnetic bis-complex, which still could be characterized via 1H NMR spectrometry. Additionally, in order to obtain an asymmetric bis-complex with two different terpyridine ligands, methyl-diethyleneoxy-terpyridine-Ru(II)-terpyridine-oxyheptane was prepared utilizing a directed coupling method via Ru(III)/Ru(II) chemistry.