3,4-Alkylenedioxy ring formation via double Mitsunobu reactions: an efficient route for the synthesis of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) and 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene (ProDOT) derivatives as monomers for electron-rich conducting polymers

3,4-Alkylenedioxy ring functionalized thiophenes (XDOT's) have been synthesized by double Mitsunobu reactions to yield precursors to monomers for conjugated and electrically conducting polymers, including the commercially important 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT).