Direct Arylation as a Synthetic Tool for the Synthesis of Thiophene-Based Organic Electronic Materials

The efficient synthesis of thiophene based organic electronic materials can be carried out in high yields using simple starting materials by employing palladium-catalyzed direct arylation. The direct arylation method was applied to the (formal) synthesis of ten molecules that have exhibited promise for applications as optoelectronic materials. The syntheses feature the following advantages over traditional cross-coupling techniques: (1) higher yields, (2) fewer synthetic operations, (3) lower catalyst loadings, and (4) does not employ organometallic intermediates. The advantages of direct arylation make it an ideal strategy for the synthesis of thiophene containing organic electronic materials.