Iodine-catalyzed three-component annulation: access to highly fluorescent trisubstituted thiophenes

An efficient synthesis of highly fluorescent trisubstituted thiophenes was achieved via iodine-catalyzed, base-promoted annulation employing elemental sulfur as a sulfur source. The compounds exhibit excellent photophysical properties like solid-state fluorescence, high quantum yield and solvatochromism. As these thiophene derivatives have potential application in the development of optoelectronic devices, gram-scale synthesis of the desired heterocycles was demonstrated.

Automated summary

An efficient method for synthesizing highly fluorescent trisubstituted thiophenes was developed using iodine-catalyzed, base-promoted annulation and elemental sulfur as a sulfur source. These compounds show excellent photophysical properties such as solid-state fluorescence, high quantum yield, and solvatochromism. The gram-scale synthesis of the desired heterocycles was also demonstrated, making them suitable for potential applications in optoelectronic devices.