J. N. Ngwendson, Walters N. Atemnkeng, Cassandra M. Schultze
Aug 4, 2006
Citations
0
Influential Citations
18
Citations
Journal
Organic letters
Abstract
Symmetric ethenyldithiophenes are important intermediates for synthesis of photochromic materials and organic conductors. When acetonitrile is used as a solvent, 3-methylthiophenylphosphonium salts form symmetric ethenyldithiophenes in the presence of a strong base (e.g., NaH, (t)BuOK) in moderate to high yields. This homocoupling reaction is faster than a Wittig reaction with aromatic ketones in acetonitrile. Our study shows that the presence of polar aprotic solvents promotes the homocoupling reaction.