3- and 3,4-bis(2-cyanoethylsulfanyl)thiophenes as building blocks for functionalized thiophene-based pi-conjugated systems.

The facile access to 3- and 3,4-bis(2-cyanoethylsulfanyl)thiophenes allows the straightforward synthesis of 3-alkylsulfanyl and symmetrical or unsymmetrical 3,4-dialkylsulfanylthiophenes by using a methodology based on a highly efficient sequence of deprotection/alkylation reactions of thiolate group(s).