Synthesis of functionalized thiophenes and oligothiophenes by selective and iterative cross-coupling reactions using indium organometallics.

The synthesis of unsymmetrical 2,5-disubstituted thiophenes by selective and sequential palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of indium organometallics with 2,5-dibromothiophene is reported. Following an iterative coupling sequence, α-oligothiophenes were synthesized in good yields and with high atom economy.