Synlett 2006(12): 1793-1815  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-944221
ACCOUNT
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Synthesis of Uniform, Non-Natural Oligomers

Nadja Franz, Georg Kreutzer, Harm-Anton Klok*
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Institut des Matériaux, Laboratoire des Polymères, Bâtiment MX-D, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
Fax: +41(21)6935650; e-Mail: harm-anton.klok@epfl.ch;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 6 March 2006
Publication Date:
24 July 2006 (online)

Abstract

Oligomers with well-defined chain lengths are of interest as foldamers, are important as model compounds for high-molecular-weight polymers and find application in electrooptic and sensory devices. This account presents an overview of the strategies that are available for the synthesis of eight important classes of uniform oligomers. The continuous refinement of the synthetic methods ­allows the preparation of ever longer oligomers in higher yields and also makes it possible to introduce special functional groups. These improvements could lead to materials with new or improved properties and underline the importance of synthetic organic chemistry for the development of new functional materials.

  • 1 Introduction

  • 2 Synthetic Strategies

  • 3 Alkanes - Oligoenes - Oligoynes

  • 4 Oligoesters

  • 5 Oligoethers

  • 6 Oligo(phenylene)s

  • 7 Oligo(phenylene vinylene)s

  • 8 Oligo(phenylene ethynylene)s

  • 9 Oligopyridines - Oligo(pyridine-pyrimidine)s

  • 10 Oligothiophenes

  • 11 Conclusions and Outlook