Convenient iterative synthesis of an octameric tetracarboxylate-functionalized oligophenylene rod with divergent end groups

Oligo(p-phenylene) rigid rod 10 is synthesized via a functional group-tolerant molecular doubling approach. Preparative chromatographic methods, protecting groups, boronic acid isolations, and Grignard or organolithium reagents are not used. The convenient synthesis of well-defined, polar-functionalized oligophenylene rigid rods could afford ready access to a variety of useful electronic organic materials.