Synlett 2013; 24(18): 2389-2392
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1339707
letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Synthetic Routes toward Asymmetrically Substituted (Functionalized) 4H-Cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophenes

Wouter Vanormelingen
a   Imec-Imomec, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
b   Design & Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors (DSOS), Institute for Materials Research (IMO), Hasselt University, Agoralaan 1, Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium   Fax: +32(11)268299   Email: wouter.maes@uhasselt.be
,
Pieter Verstappen
a   Imec-Imomec, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
b   Design & Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors (DSOS), Institute for Materials Research (IMO), Hasselt University, Agoralaan 1, Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium   Fax: +32(11)268299   Email: wouter.maes@uhasselt.be
,
Veronique Maes
a   Imec-Imomec, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
b   Design & Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors (DSOS), Institute for Materials Research (IMO), Hasselt University, Agoralaan 1, Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium   Fax: +32(11)268299   Email: wouter.maes@uhasselt.be
,
David Bevk
a   Imec-Imomec, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
b   Design & Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors (DSOS), Institute for Materials Research (IMO), Hasselt University, Agoralaan 1, Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium   Fax: +32(11)268299   Email: wouter.maes@uhasselt.be
,
Laurence Lutsen
a   Imec-Imomec, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
,
Dirk Vanderzande
a   Imec-Imomec, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
b   Design & Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors (DSOS), Institute for Materials Research (IMO), Hasselt University, Agoralaan 1, Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium   Fax: +32(11)268299   Email: wouter.maes@uhasselt.be
,
Wouter Maes*
a   Imec-Imomec, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
b   Design & Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors (DSOS), Institute for Materials Research (IMO), Hasselt University, Agoralaan 1, Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium   Fax: +32(11)268299   Email: wouter.maes@uhasselt.be
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 31 July 2013

Accepted after revision: 14 August 2013

Publication Date:
03 September 2013 (online)


Abstract

A two-step synthetic protocol involving (i) a Wittig-type carbonyl olefination, and (ii) regioselective alkylation of the exocyclic double bond with LiAlH4 and an alkyl bromide, was developed as an alternative to the recently reported three-step synthetic approach toward asymmetrically substituted/functionalized 4H-cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophenes. The two routes are rather complementary, with specific advantages depending on the desired substitution pattern, and are of particular appeal for the construction of semiconducting materials to be applied in organic photovoltaics.

Supporting Information

 
  • References and Notes

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  • 17 It has to be mentioned that Turner et al. reported a successful Wittig reaction of CPDT-4-one 7 with dodecylidenetriphenylphosphorane: Coppo P, Adams H, Cupertino DC, Yeates SG, Turner ML. Chem. Commun. 2003; 2548
  • 18 4-(Octylidene)-4H-cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene (8a): n-BuLi (4.0 mL of a 2.5 M solution in n-hexane, 10.0 mmol) was added to a solution of octyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (4.55 g, 10.0 mmol) in anhyd THF (30 mL) at –82 °C under N2 atmosphere. The mixture was stirred for 30 min at –82 °C and then a solution of CPDT-4-one 7 (1.48 g, 7.69 mmol) in anhyd THF (30 mL) was added. After stirring for an additional 30 min at this temperature, the mixture was allowed to reach r.t. The reaction was quenched with H2O and the aqueous layer was extracted with Et2O. After drying the combined organic layers over MgSO4, removal of the solvents in vacuo, and purification by column chromatography (SiO2, petroleum ether), a yellow oil was obtained (1.64 g, 74%). 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.27 (d, J = 4.7 Hz, 1 H), 7.13 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.12 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.08 (d, J = 4.9 Hz, 1 H), 6.44 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1 H), 2.68 (q, J = 7.5 Hz, 2 H), 1.62 (quint, J = 7.4 Hz, 2 H), 1.23–1.48 (m, 8 H), 0.89 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 3 H).
  • 19 4-(2-Ethylhexyl)-4-octyl-4H-cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene (10a; see ref. 9a): A solution of 2-ethylhexyl bromide (1.40 g, 7.25 mmol) and CPDT 8a (2.09 g, 7.25 mmol) in anhyd THF (25 mL) was added dropwise to a suspension of LiAlH4 (0.275 g, 7.25 mmol) in anhyd THF (10 mL) under N2 atmosphere at r.t. After 15 h, Et2O (50 mL) and aq HCl (1.0 M, 30 mL) were added carefully. The organic layer was separated and washed with aq NaHCO3 and H2O, followed by drying over MgSO4. Purification by column chromatography (SiO2, petroleum ether) and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure yielded a colorless oil (2.28 g, 78%).

    • A few functionalized asymmetrically dialkylated CPDTs have already been reported (see also ref. 13):
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