Ladder distyrylbenzenes with silicon and chalcogen bridges: synthesis, structures, and properties.

[reaction: see text] A cascade-type anionic double cyclization of (o-silylphenyl)(o-halophenyl)acetylenes via lithiation followed by treatment with elemental chalcogen produces silicon and chalcogen-bridged stilbenes. Based on this reaction, a series of silicon and sulfur- or silicon and selenium-bridged ladder distyrylbenzenes have been synthesized. Their chemical modification by oxidation, crystal structures, and photophysical properties are described.