A general synthetic strategy for functionalized oligo(bipyridines): new building blocks for supramolecular chemistry and their first application in macromolecules

The first directed syntheses of unsymmetrically 6,6′-functionalized 2,2′-bypyridine building blocks and a general synthetic strategy to higher generations of functionalized oligo(bipy) units are described; a block copolymer containing a bis(bipy) unit is prepared and complexed with copper(I) ions to obtain a supramolecular aggregate.