Dendrimer-Supported Oligothiophene Synthesis:  Aliphatic Ether Dendrimers in the Preparation of Oligothiophenes with Minimal Substitution

The first dendrimer-supported synthesis of oligothiophenes is reported. The dendrimer serves both as a solubilizing group and a "handle" to facilitate the iterative synthesis of the oligothiophenes. The dendrimer-functionalized oligothiophenes with minimal ring substitution were found to have an extended conjugation compared to analogous oligomers having several linear alkyl chain solubilizing substituents.