A simple and efficient route to N-functionalized dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrroles: fused-ring building blocks for new conjugated polymeric systems.

A general synthetic route has been developed for the simple and efficient preparation of N-functionalized dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrroles. These synthetic methods utilize N-functionalized N-(3'-thienyl)-3-aminothiophenes produced from the Pd-catalyzed amination of 3-bromothiophene with primary amines, followed by a one-pot bromination/cyclization process. This combination allows the convenient preparation of a variety of N-functionalized dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrroles (where substituent = hexyl, octyl, decyl, tert-butyl, and p-hexylphenyl) in good yield (65-82%). Characterization of the structure and reactivity of this class of compounds is also described, including electrochemical and photophysical data for all compounds and X-ray structural data for the octyl-, tert-butyl-, and p-hexylphenyl-functionalized compounds.