Group 15 Pnictenium Cations Supported by a Conjugated Bithiophene Backbone

Thiophene based polymers and oligomers have attracted considerable attention because they can be functionalized to alter the gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), which enables the design of tunable light emitting materials. One area, which has been less explored, is the incorporation of low coordinate, low oxidation state main group elements into these systems. We have currently developed a novel pi-conjugated ligand containing two contiguous thiophene rings in which we have demonstrated its ability to support both pnictogen cations and their metal complexes.