1. A Convenient Synthesis of Symmetric 1,2-Diarylethenes from Arylmethyl Phosphonium Salts
- Author
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Walters N. Atemnkeng, Julius N. Ngwendson, Anamitro Banerjee, and Cassandra M. Schultze
- Subjects
Chemistry ,Organic Chemistry ,Aromatic ketones ,General Medicine ,Biochemistry ,Thiophene derivatives ,Solvent ,Photochromism ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Wittig reaction ,Polymer chemistry ,Organic chemistry ,Polar ,Phosphonium ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Acetonitrile - Abstract
Symmetric ethenyldithiophenes are important intermediates for synthesis of photochromic materials and organic conductors. When acetonitrile is used as a solvent, 3-methylthiophenylphosphonium salts form symmetric ethenyldithiophenes in the presence of a strong base (e.g., NaH, (t)BuOK) in moderate to high yields. This homocoupling reaction is faster than a Wittig reaction with aromatic ketones in acetonitrile. Our study shows that the presence of polar aprotic solvents promotes the homocoupling reaction.
- Published
- 2007
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