A straightforward access to photochromic diarylethene derivatives via palladium-catalysed direct heteroarylation of 1,2-dichloroperfluorocyclopentene

A novel and efficient palladium-catalysed direct di-heteroarylation of 1,2-dichloroperfluorocyclopentene with a variety of heteroarenes is reported, giving rise to 1,2-di(heteroaryl)ylperfluorocyclopentene photochromic compounds. The reaction proceeds with thiazoles, thiophenes or furan derivatives and tolerates various substituents.