Insights into the triple self-condensation reaction of thiophene-based methyl ketones and related compounds

Article abstract of DOI:10.24820/ark.5550190.p010.516

The acid catalysed triple self-condensation of 1-thien-2-ylethanone (2-acetylthiophene) and five related compounds is presented. Tetrachlorosilane used as the Lewis acid produces dry hydrogen chloride which catalyzes the self-condensation process. Depending on the reaction conditions and the substitution of the carbonyl substrates, the reaction can proceed as a [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization towards C3-symmetric 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzenes, or as the single-type aldol condensation leading to 1,3-disubstituted (E)-β-methylchalcones. This is important for the design of new aromatic/olefinic compounds beyond the model structures. Synthesis of 4′-fluoro-3,5-di-(2-thienyl)biphenyl through a mixed-type aldol reaction using erbium triflate is discussed. Mechanistic rationale is provided.

Full text of DOI:10.24820/ark.5550190.p010.516

The Free Internet Journal
for Organic Chemistry
Paper
Archive for
Arkivoc 2018, part v, 0-0
Organic Chemistry
to be inserted by editorial office
Insights into the triple self-condensation reaction of thiophene-based
methyl ketones and related compounds
Anita Andicsová-Eckstein,a Daniel Végh,b Alžbeta Krutošíková,c and Zita Tokárová*c
a Polymer Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 84541 Bratislava, Slovakia
b Institute of Organic Chemistry, Catalysis and Petrochemistry, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology,
Slovak University of Technology, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia
c Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of SS Cyril and Methodius,
91707 Trnava, Slovakia
Email: zita.tokarova@ucm.sk
Received 02-05-2018
Accepted 04-14-2018
Published on line 06-09-2018
Abstract
The acid catalysed triple self-condensation of 1-thien-2-ylethanone (2-acetylthiophene) and five related
compounds is presented. Tetrachlorosilane used as the Lewis acid produces dry hydrogen chloride which
catalyzes the self-condensation process. Depending on the reaction conditions and the substitution of the
carbonyl substrates, the reaction can proceed as a [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization towards C3-symmetric 1,3,5-
trisubstituted benzenes, or as the single-type aldol condensation leading to 1,3-disubstituted (E)-β-methyl-
chalcones. This is important for the design of new aromatic/olefinic compounds beyond the model structures.
Synthesis of 4'-fluoro-3,5-di-(2-thienyl)biphenyl through a mixed-type aldol reaction using erbium triflate is
discussed. Mechanistic rationale is provided.
Keywords: [2+2+2] Cyclotrimerization, aldol condensation, 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzene, β-methylchalcone
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24820/ark.5550190.p010.516
Page 1
©ARKAT USA, Inc

Arkivoc 2018, v, 0-0
Andicsová-Eckstein, A. et al.
Introduction
Star-shaped molecules based on 1,3,5-triarylbenzenes have long been recognized as a family of amorphous
glasses stable above room temperature.1,2 The bioisosteric replacement of benzene by thiophene has extended
the family of C3-symmetric compounds3,4 and their applications in electroluminescent (EL) devices,5 liquid
crystalline materials6 and as fluorescent probes.7 In contrast to polymers used in similar applications,
amorphous molecular materials are pure materials with well-defined molecular structures and definite
molecular weights without any distribution. Consequently, 1,3,5-tri(het)arylbenzenes serve as versatile
platforms in the design of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs),8,9 dendrimers,10 polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAH),11 bulky ligands12 and truxenes (derivatives of 10,15-dihydro-5H-diindeno[1,2-a; 1’,2’-
c]fluorene).13 The classical one-directional convergent synthetic approach, originally developed by Clapps and
Morton,14 is that most frequently reported in the literature.
The [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization of acetophenones and related compounds is expected to have outstanding
potential because of its high atom economy and broad reaction scope.15 The triple self-condensation of
starting acetophenones (AP) and hetaryl methyl ketones (HetAP) takes place mostly in ethanol using Brønsted
or Lewis acids such as common SiCl4,16-20 TiCl4,21,22 p-TsOH23 and variations on more complex structures.23-28
Although these processes provide regioselective approaches to polysubstituted aromatic compounds, as has
been presented in a large number of studies,16-32 there are some limitations including low yields, long reaction
times, harsh reaction conditions, use of expensive metal catalysts, tedious work-up, and formation of side
products.
It is generally known that [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization involving bulky substrates is not a trivial task. The
presence of a bulky substituent in the structure of the starting ketone can change the reactivity in favour of
formation of appropriate (E)-β-methylchalcones (dypnones), derivatives of (E)-1,3-diphenyl-2-buten-1-one.33
This is because the triple self-condensation of acetophenones (AP) or hetaryl methyl ketones (HetAP),
respectively, under mild reaction conditions (ambient temperature, efficient catalysis) occurs as a stepwise
process, as was independently highlighted by Wu et al.34 and Wagh and Akamanchi.35 The acid catalyzed
single-type aldol condensation of two equivalents of starting carbonyl compounds AP or HetAP towards the
formation of (E)-β-methylchalcones (BMC) occurs first, followed by subsequent enolizazion and
rearrangement of BMC into final 1,3,5-triarylbenzenes (TAB) or 1,3,5-trihetarylbenzenes (THetAB). The bulky
substitution as well as the electron-withdrawing substituents in the structure of acetophenones inhibit the
second aldol reaction affording only the corresponding (E)-β-methylchalcones.34 There are two possibilities of
cyclization, i.e. two equivalents of (E)-β-methylchalcone reacts to create C3-symmetric benzenes (Scheme 1,
A)34 or a molecule of the key intermediate dypnone undergo condensation with another molecule of the
carbonyl substrate (Scheme 1, B).35
Figure 1. Structures of the starting carbonyl substrates under investigation.
Page 2
©ARKAT USA, Inc

Arkivoc 2018, v, 0-0
Andicsová-Eckstein, A. et al.
The formation of (E)-β-methylchalcones/dypnones during the process of cyclotrimerization is indeed
underrated. Besides which, dypnone-involved organic synthesis is important further i.e. in a mixed-type aldol
condensation towards unsymmetrically branched 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzenes,36 in the reduction towards
diols37 or in the synthesis of allycyclic azides.38 In this regard, we have studied the process of the triple self-
condensation of hetaryl methyl ketones in the construction of either C3-symmetric 1,3,5-trihetaryl benzenes or
1,3-bishetaryl (E)-β-methylchalcones/dypnones, or the mixture of the two possible compounds. Thien-2-yl-
ethanone 1a and its C5 methyl- and halogen-substituted derivatives 1b-d were selected for our investigations
under the different experimental conditions (Figure 1), either affecting the triple self-condensation by
tetrachlorosilane (SiCl4, 2-4 equiv.) combined with a solvent change (ethanol, ethanol/toluene mixture, 2-
ethoxyethanol) or by use of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as a Brønsted acid catalyst (TFSA-CF3SO3H, 2 mol %)
in toluene. In fact, SiCl4 and related weak Lewis acids in anhydrous alcohols produce controlled amount of dry
hydrogen chloride (g) acting as the acid catalyst in aldol-type condensations.39,40 Our study was extended
employing 1-[5-(fluoren-9-ylidenemethyl)thien-2-yl]ethanone (1e) and 1-[5-(fluoren-9-ylidenemethyl)-1-
methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]ethanone (1f) with a bulky fluorenylidenemethyl substituent at the C5 position of the
thiophene and pyrrole rings (Figure 1), to examine the effect of the substitution on the reaction. The synthesis
of 1,3,5-unsymmetrically substituted benzene is presented according to a mixed-type aldol condensation of
the appropriate (E)-β-methylchalcone and p-fluoroacetophenone.
Scheme 1. [2+2+2] Cyclotrimerization reaction of acetophenones and related compounds. Two possible routes
to C3-symmetric benzene formation are highlighted.34,35
Results and Discussion
Effects of solvent, temperature and reaction time
The [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization of starting ketones 1a-d was carried out at room temperature (25 °C). The
same approach with ketones 1e and 1f was conducted at 100 °C. Generally, a relatively low temperature of
the triple self-condensation towards 1,3,5-triarylbenzenes has to be maintained to form thermodynamically
stable enol-silyl ether reactive intermediates of the excited state followed by in situ formation of gaseous
HCl.17,36,41 Although in the triple self-condensation process promoted by SiCl4 as the weak Lewis acid, ethanol
proves to be the most universal solvent (Method A),18,19,36,39 the solubility of some hetaryl methyl ketones 1a-f
in ethanol might be insufficient. Since the enhanced solubility of substrates together with the activity of
tetrachlorosilane was crucial, we performed the [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization with the starting substrates 1a-d in
Page 3
©ARKAT USA, Inc

Arkivoc 2018, v, 0-0
Andicsová-Eckstein, A. et al.
a mixture of ethanol/toluene (Method B)16,20 as well as by using 2-ethoxyethanol instead of ethanol (Method
C). Use of a double and threefold excess of SiCl4/EtOH (Method A and B) leads directly to 1,3,5-triarylbenzenes
3a-d,3 while use of excess of catalyst (4 equiv.) in 2-ethoxyethanol (Method C) gave good yields of β-
methylchalcones 2b-d.17,36 Since, fluorenylidene-substituted hetaryl methyl ketones 1e and 1f were insoluble
in the solvents used according to Methods A-C, we turned to Method D, performing the reaction with
trifluoromethane sulfonic acid (TFSA, 2 mol %) in toluene. The optimal reaction time during which the
formation of unidentifiable polymers was suppressed was 14 h with SiCl4 (Methods A-C) and 30 h with
CF3SO3H (Method D). The results on reaction conditions for 1a-f are summarized in Table 1.
Table 1. The reaction conditions of [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization of thiophene-based methyl ketones 1a-e and
pyrrolyl substrate 1f
Method
Reaction conditions
Solvent
Substrat
Product / Process
e
Method A
SiCl4 (0.078 mol, 2 equiv.),
14 h, 25 °C
EtOH
1a
1b
1c
1a
1d
3a / TSCa
ref.18,19,36,39
3b / TSCa
3c / TSCa
2a
Method B
ref.16,20
SiCl4 (0.117 mol, 3 equiv.),
14 h, 25 °C
EtOH/PhMe
(50:50)
/
aldol
aldol
condensationb
3d / TSCa
Method C
SiCl4 (0.156 mol, 4 equiv.),
14 h, 25 °C
2-Ethoxyethanol
1a
1b
1c
1d
3a / TSCa
2b
condensationb
2c / aldol condensationb
2d aldol
/
/
condensationb
Method D
CF3SO3H (0.1 mmol, 2 mol %)
30 h, 100 °C
PhMe
1e
1f
2e / aldol condensationb
2f / aldol condensationb
a
TSC = triple self condensation of three equivalents of the starting substrates ([2+2+2]
b
cyclotrimerization), according to results presented later in this research work; Aldol condensation –
single-type of aldol condensation between two molecules of the starting ketones, according to results
presented later in this research work; a, b According to the mechanism discussed below.
Mechanism
To the best of our knowledge, two possible mechanisms of acid catalysed [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization of aryl-
and hetaryl methyl ketones have been reported recently.36,37 In both approaches, the crucial intermediate, (E)-
β-methylchalcone/dypnone, was initially formed via the single-type aldol condensation of two equivalents of
acetophenones and related compounds activated by the acid catalyst (Scheme 2).34-36 Since (E)-
β-methylchalcones/dypnones were stable compounds, in several cases they were isolated as the final
products and the subsequent formation of 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzenes was not observed. The reactivity of
(E)-β-methylchalcone/dypnone was crucial in the subsequent cyclization and aromatization reaction sequence,
which may occur in the reaction with another amount of the starting carbonyl compound in the single-type
aldol condensation (route A)34 subsequently followed by intramolecular rearrangement supporting the ring
closure (Scheme 2). In the second approach (route B)35 the single-type aldol condensation occurs first between
Page 4
©ARKAT USA, Inc

Arkivoc 2018, v, 0-0
Andicsová-Eckstein, A. et al.
two equivalents of the (E)-β-methylchalcone/dypnone, continuing as intramolecular [2+2] cycloaddition and
subsequent retro [2+2] cycloaddition leading to 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzenes (Scheme 2). The bulky
substituent may inhibit either the aldol condensation with another equivalent of the starting ketone (route
A)34 or the aldol addition with another equivalent of the dypnone (route B).35 The dypnone’s ability to
precipitate from the reaction mixture as well as the solubility of the carbonyl substrate influences the process
of [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization to a large extent. Again, the use of SiCl4 generates -OSiCl3 protected hydroxyl
compounds, allowing to stop the addition at the aldol step.17
Scheme 2. Proposed mechanism of a triple self-condensation reaction sequence of 1-thien-2-ylethanone
(1a).34,35 The H+ cation originates from dry HCl (g) which is generated in situ from SiCl4 through the the excited
state enolsilyl reactive intermediates.17,34,41
Self condensation vs. [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization of starting carbonyl compounds 1a-f
With optimized reaction conditions and insight on the mechanism, the scope of the reaction towards the
formation either C3-symmetric 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzenes via [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization, or (E)-β-
methylchalcones/dypnones by the single-type aldol condensation was investigated (Table 2).
The reaction of 1-thien-2-yl-ethanone (1a), 1-(5-methylthien-2-yl)ethanone (1b) and 1-(5-chlorothien-2-
yl)ethanone (1c) performed under the standard conditions (Method A, SiCl4/EtOH) affording the 1,3,5-
trisubstituted benzenes: 1,3,5-tris(thien-2-yl)benzene (3a), 1,3,5-tris(5-methylthien-2-yl)benzene (3b) and
1,3,5-tris-(5-chlorothien-2-yl)benzene (3c), respectively, in yields not exceeding 60%. The [2+2+2]
cyclotrimerization of bromo-substituted derivative 1d by Method B (SiCl4, EtOH/PhMe) produced
C3-symmetric 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzene 3d in a moderate 28% yield, probably as a result of the side
polymerization reactions characteristic for bromo-derivatives of thiophenes. By alternating the solvent with 2-
ethoxyethanol (Method C) for 1a-1d only the reaction with 1a proceeded as [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization leading
Page 5
©ARKAT USA, Inc

Arkivoc 2018, v, 0-0
Andicsová-Eckstein, A. et al.
to 1,3,5-tris(thien-2-yl)benzene (3a, 35%), while in the case of its methyl-, chloro- and bromo-substituted
derivatives 1c-1d (E)-β-methylchalcones/dypnones 2b (33%), 2c (64%) and 2d (31%) were isolated as a
consequence of the single-type aldol condensation. 1,3-Dithienyl-substituted (E)-β-methylchalcone 2a was
finally isolated in the yield of 45% performing the reaction in EtOH/PhMe (50:50) mixture (Method B).
As expected, from the reactions carried out with the 1-(5-fluoren-9-ylidenemethyl)thien-2-yl)ethanone
(1e) and the 1-(5-fluoren-9-ylidenemethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)ethanone (1f), bearing the bulky
fluorenylidene residues, in PhMe/TFSA (Method D) (E)-β-methylchalcones/dypnones 2e,f were isolated in
yield of 33% in both cases (Table 2). Concerning the substitution, the reaction with 1e,f was completed as
single-type aldol condensation without the formation of any C3-symmetric benzenes.
Table 2. Summary of triple self-condensation of heterocyclic methyl ketones 1a-f
Entry
Substrate
Product
Conditions
Process
/
Method / Product (%)
1,2
SiCl4
O
S
S
EtOH / 2-ethoxyethanol
3a
(55%)
(35%)
/
1a
S
S
Method A / Method C
[2+2+2] cyclotrimerization
3a
S
3
4
SiCl4 / EtOH
Method A
[2+2+2] cyclotrimerization
3b (58%)
O
S
S
S
S
3b
1b
Cl
SiCl4 / EtOH
Method A
[2+2+2] cyclotrimerization
3c (58%)
3d (28%)
S
Cl
O
O
S
S
1c
Cl3c
Cl
5
Br
Br
S
SiCl4 / EtOH/PhMe
Method B
[2+2+2] cyclotrimerization
S
1d
S
S
S
Br3d
Br
6
7
O
O
S
SiCl4 / EtOH/PhMe
Method B
Single-type
condensation
SiCl4 / 2-ethoxyethanol
2a (45%)
2b (33%)
S
2a
1a
aldol
O
S
O
S
Method C
Single-type
condensation
1b
S
2b
aldol
Page 6
©ARKAT USA, Inc

Arkivoc 2018, v, 0-0
Andicsová-Eckstein, A. et al.
Table 2. Continued
Entry
Substrate
Product
Conditions
Process
/
Method / Product (%)
8
O
S
Cl
O
S
SiCl4 / 2-ethoxyethanol
Method C
2c (64%)
Cl
S
1c
Cl
2c
Single-type
condensation
SiCl4 / 2-ethoxyethanol
aldol
aldol
aldol
aldol
Br
O
S
O
S
9
2d (31%)
Br
S
1d
Br
2d
Method C
Single-type
condensation
O
S
10
11
O
S
N
S
CF3SO3H / PhMe
Method D
Single-type
2e (33%)
2f (33%)
1e
2e
2f
condensation
O
N
O
N
CF3SO3H / PhMe
Method D
Single-type
1f
condensation
Effect of substitution
To examine effects of the substituent X we have compared the results of formation 1,3,5-triarylbenzene 3a-d
and (E)-β-methylchalcones 2a-d from substrates 1a (X = H), 1b (X = Me), 1c (X = Cl) and 1d (X = Br) (Figure 1).
Results showed that substrate 1c possessing chlorine provided best results in both [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization
approach towards 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzene 3c as well as in a single-type aldol condensation leading to (E)-
β-methylchalcone 2c (Entries 4 and 8, Table 2). On the other hand, both types of the reaction with bromo-
substituted substrate 1d (Entries 5 and 9, Table 2) were less effective, probably due to the enhanced ability of
brominated thiophenes to undergo polymerization. According to generally-accepted fact in comparison with
obtained results, we can assume that electron-withdrawing effect of the halogen substituent in the α-position
(C5) of the thiophene for substrates 1c and 1d (X = Cl, Br) induced the single-type aldol condensation more
efficiently than the triple self-condensation process: (E)-β-methylchalcone 2c vs. 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzene
3c = 64% yield (Entry 8, Table 2) vs. 58% yield (Entry 4, Table 2); (E)-β-methylchalcone 2d vs. 1,3,5-
trisubstituted benzene 3d = 29% yield (Entry 9, Table 2) vs. 31% (Entry 5, Table 2), respectively. The most
significant effect of the substitution on the reaction proceeding was with subtrates 1e and 1f possessing
fluorenylidene residue. The steric hindrance inhibited the second aldol reaction towards formation of the
benzene ring once appropriate (E)-β-methylchalcones 2e (33%, Entry 10, Table 2) and 2f (33%, Entry 11, Table
2) are formed. The thienyl methyl ketone without substitution (1a, X = H) or bearing methyl substituent (1b, X
Page 7
©ARKAT USA, Inc

Arkivoc 2018, v, 0-0
Andicsová-Eckstein, A. et al.
= Me) proceeded moderately in both, in [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization reaction (43% and 35% for 3a, Entry 1 and
2; 41% for 3b, Entry 3) and in a single-type aldol condensation (45% for 2a Entry 6; 33% for 2b, Entry 7, Table
2).
Taken together, we assumed that the self-condensation reactions of thiophene-based methyl ketones and
related compounds were governed by several factors, such as electronic and steric effects of substituents at
C5 position of the heterocyclic core together with reaction conditions (Methods A-D) applied for a particular
substrate.
1
1,3,5-Symmetrically-substituted benzenes 3a-d appear in their H NMR spectra as singlets at 7.75–7.40
ppm due to aromatic hydrogen and in the range of 7.10–7.75 ppm as doublets or triplets of the thiophene
core hydrogens. The H-α proton of the double bond for (E)-β-methylchalcones 2a-f resonate in the range of
6.85–7.10 ppm as singlets or quartets as the result of the field interaction between olefinic hydrogen and
hydrogen on C-β position of the thiophene together with interactions with the neighbouring methyl group.
The methyl group signals appeared at 2.50 ppm
Mixed-type aldol condensation
The scope of dypnone-involved organic synthesis was expanded performing the reaction of 2a (2.0 equiv.)
with p-fluoroacetophenone (1.0 equiv.) as the aldol-type addition promoted by erbium triflate [Er(OTf)3, 1.0
mol %].42,43 The strong electron-withdrawing capacity of the methanesulfonate anion enhances the Lewis acid
character of the catalyst and among the lanthanoid(III) triflates Er3+ was one of the most active cations.44 To
the best our knowledge, this is the first example of the dypnone-like aldol reaction catalysed by erbium
triflate. Unsymmetricaly substituted 1,3,5-benzene 4 was isolated after heating at the boiling point of toluene
1
(8 h, 62%, Scheme 3). In the H NMR spectrum only aromatic hydrogen signals appear in the range of 8.00–
7.10 ppm indicating the full conversion of the starting (E)-β-methylchalcone 2a.
Scheme 3. Mixed-type aldol reaction of 2a forming an unsymmetrically branched 1,3,5-benzene 4 catalysed by
erbium triflate.
Conclusions
In this study we have complemented and compared the known aspects of the [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization
reactions of acetophenones and related compounds with our current results. The course of the self-
condensation process is indeed challenging providing the possibility of formation of different type of
compounds: the C3-symmetric aromatic derivatives or the unsaturated (E)-β-methylchalcones (dypnones). We
have highlighted, that by varying the substitution of carbonyl substrates in combination with different reaction
conditions the reaction can be directed either in a triple [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization manner towards 1,3,5-
tris(thien-2-yl)benzenes 3a-d (Table 2, Entries 1-5), or in accordance with a single-type aldol condensation
producing 1,3-disubstituted (E)-β-methylchalcones 2a-f (Table 2, Entries 6-11). The ability to access new
Page 8
©ARKAT USA, Inc

Arkivoc 2018, v, 0-0
Andicsová-Eckstein, A. et al.
compounds 2b-f through the general and simple protocols (Method B) or by their slight variations (Method C –
use of ethyleneglycole monoethylether as solvent, Method D – use of trifluoromethane sulfonic acid as acid
catalyst) is also described. The outlook of the synthetic application of (E)-β-methylchalcones yielding
unsymmetrical 1,3,5-triarylbenzene derivatives is presented on the example of synthesis of (E)-3-(2,2’-
dithienyl)-5-(fluorenyl)benzene (4). Both types of designed structures are important in a broad range of
applications; 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzenes in the synthesis of star-shaped molecules acting as the
π-conjugated units in opto-electronic materials and 1,3-disubstituted (E)-β-methylchalcones as intermediades
in organic synthesis.
Experimental Section
General. All commercially available chemicals were used as received without further purification. Solvents
were purified by standard methods and dried if necessary. Reactions were monitored by thin layer
chromatography (TLC) on plates precoated with silica gel (Merck 60 F254) and visualized using a UV hand lamp
operating at 254/365 nm wavelengths. Melting points were recorded on a Kofler block and are uncorrected.
The infrared spectra were taken on Agilent Cary 630 FTIR spectrometer with diamond ATR. Elemental analyses
(EA) were performed on a Flash EA 2000 CHNS/O-OEA analyser. ESI-MS spectrum of compound 4 containing
fluorine in the structure was recorded on Mass Quattro LC. NMR spectra (1H at 300 and 13C at 75 MHz) were
obtained on the Varian VXR-300 spectrometer and products were reported relative to tetrametylsilane (TMS,
1
0.00 ppm) or CDCl3 (7.24 ppm) or DMSO-d6 (2.49 ppm) for H NMR data, CDCl3 (77.0 ppm) or DMSO-d6 (39.7
ppm) for 13C NMR data. Spectral data are presented as follows: chemical shifts in part per million (ppm),
coupling constants J (Hz) and splitting patterns as s = singlet, d = doublet, t = triplet, q = quadruplet, dd =
doublet of doublets, m = multiplet. Absorption spectra of the solutions in chloroform (CHCl3), or
dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) with concentration 1.10-5 mol·dm-3 measured on a UV 1650PC spectrometer
(Shimadzu, Japan).
Thien-2-ylethanone (1a) and its C5 methyl-, chloro-, bromo- and fluorenylidene-substituted derivatives 1b-e
were synthesized following the published procedures.45-47 1-{5-[(9H-Fluorene-9-ylidene)methyl]-1-methyl-1H-
pyrrol-2-yl}ethanone (1f) was synthesized in two steps according to Scheme 4 following the acetylation
procedure published by us previously.48
.
Mg(ClO4)2 2H2O
aq. NaOH
Ac2O, reflux
PhMe, reflux
O
N
O
N
N
1f'
1f
Scheme 4. Synthesis of fluorenylidene-substituted 2-acetyl-1H-methylpyrrole substrate 1f.
1-{5-[(9H-Fluorene-9-ylidene)methyl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl}ethanone (1f). To a solution of 1-methyl-1H-
pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (0.06 mol, 6.5 g) and fluorene (0.06 mol, 10.0 g) in toluene (40 mL) sodium hydroxide
(1.4 mol, 56.0 g) in water (84 mL) was added. To the toluene/water mixture the phase transfer catalyst n-
butyltetraammonium bromide (n-Bu4NBr, 0.01 mol, 3.5 g) was added and the mixture was left to stir at room
Page 9
©ARKAT USA, Inc

Arkivoc 2018, v, 0-0
Andicsová-Eckstein, A. et al.
temperature (25 °C) overnight (6-8 h). After the reaction was completed the mixture was extracted with
toluene (3 × 20 mL). Combined organic layers were washed with 0.1 M HCl (20 mL), then with water (2 × 20
mL) and finally with saturated solution of NaCl (20 mL). The organic layer was dried (Na2SO4) and solvent
evaporated under reduced pressure. Crude product was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent: n-
hexanes/EtOAc, 90:10) to give the intermediate: 2-[(9H-fluorene-9-ylidene)-methyl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrrole (1f')
1
as a yellow oil. Yield 73% (11.3 g). H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 3.71 (s, 3H, N-CH3); 6.36 - 6.32 (m, 1H,
pyrrole); 6.80 – 6.76(m, 2H, pyrrole); 7.24 – 7.22 (m, 1H, pyrrole); 7.37 – 7.32 (m, 4H, fluorenyl); 7.76 – 7.72
(m, 3H, fluorenyl); 8.23 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H, fluorenyl). 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 34.4, 108.5, 112.8,
115.8, 119.5, 119.6, 119.7, 123.7, 124.4, 126.7, 126.8, 127.6, 128.2, 129.0, 134.4, 136.6, 138.6, 139.7, 140.6.
Anal. Calc. for C19H5N (257.33 g·mol-1): C, 88.68; H, 5.88; N, 5.44. Found: C, 88.70; H, 6.04; N, 5.22%. λmax
(CHCl3) = 250, 258, 391 nm.
The mixture of 2-[(9H-fluorene-9-ylidene)methyl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrrole (1f', 0.039 mol, 10.0 g) in acetic acid
anhydride (acting as the solvent and as the acylating agent in the same time,43 0.039 mol, 4.0 mL) with
magnesium perchlorate dihydrate [Mg(ClO4)2·2H2O, 0.01 equiv., 0.39 mmol, 42 mg] was left to stir at 80 °C for
6 h. After the reaction was completed (TLC monitoring) the mixture was poured to ice (30 mL) and then
extracted with diethylether (3 × 30 mL). The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and crude
product was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent: toluene) to give 1-{5-[(9H-fluorene-9-
ylidene)methyl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl}ethanone (1f) as pale yellow solid. Yield 45% (5.3 g), mp 150-152 °C.
1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.50 (s, 3H, COCH3), 3.95 (s, 3H, NCH3), 6.56 (d, J4,3 4.2 Hz, 1H, H-4pyrrole),
7.06 (d, J3,4 4.2 Hz, 1H, H-3pyrrole), 7.13 (t, J 7.6 Hz, 1H, fluorene), 7.24 (s, 1H, H-αfluorenylidene), 7.40 – 7.27 (m, 3H,
fluorene), 7.68 (d, J 7.8 Hz, 2H, fluorene), 7.74 (d, J 7.8 Hz, 2H, fluorene). 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm)
27.5, 34.2, 111.3, 114.0, 118.4, 119.5, 119.7, 119.8, 120.4, 124.2, 127.0, 127.1, 128.8, 129.2, 131.7, 136.0,
137.1, 138.7, 139.3, 139.6, 189.6. Anal. Calc. for C21H17N (299.37 g·mol-1): C, 84.25; H, 5.72; N, 4.68. Found: C,
84.35; H, 5.66; N, 4.74%. λmax (CHCl3) 249, 261, 381 nm.
General procedures of the self-condensation reactions
METHOD A. To a solution of starting hetaryl methyl ketone 1a-d (1.0 equiv.) in absolute ethanol (30 mL)
tetrachlorosilane (SiCl4, 2.0 equiv.) was added slowly via the syringe under the inert argon atmosphere at 0 °C.
The reaction mixture was left to stir overnight (14 h) at room temperature (25 °C). The dark reaction mixture
was poured into ice water (100 mL) and stirred for 10 minutes. The aqueous phase was then extracted with
CH2Cl2 (3 × 50 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with water (2 × 30 mL), saturated solution of
NaCl (2 × 20 mL) and then dried (Na2SO4). The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the
residue was purified by flash column chromatography.
METHOD B. To a solution of starting hetaryl methyl ketone 1a-d (1.0 equiv.) in absolute ethanol/anhydrous
toluene mixture (50:50) tetrachlorosilane (SiCl4, 3.0 equiv.) was added slowly via the syringe under the inert
argon atmosphere at 0 °C. The reaction mixture was left to stir overnight (14 h) at room temperature (25 °C).
The dark reaction mixture was poured into ice water (100 mL) and stirred for 10 minutes. The aqueous phase
was then extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 × 50 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with water (2 × 30 mL),
saturated solution of NaCl (2 × 20 mL) and then dried (Na2SO4). The solvent was evaporated under reduced
pressure and the residue was purified by flash column chromatography.
METHOD C. To a solution of starting hetaryl methyl ketone 1a-d (1.0 equiv.) in anhydrous 2-ethoxyethanol (30
mL) tetrachlorosilane (SiCl4, 4.0 equiv.) was added slowly via the syringe under the inert argon atmosphere at
room temperature. The reaction mixture was left to stir overnight (14 h) at room temperature (25 °C). The
dark reaction mixture was poured into ice water (100 mL) and stirred for 10 minutes. The aqueous phase was
Page 10
©ARKAT USA, Inc

Arkivoc 2018, v, 0-0
Andicsová-Eckstein, A. et al.
then extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 × 50 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with water (2 × 30 mL),
saturated solution of NaCl (2 × 20 mL) and then dried (Na2SO4). The solvent was evaporated under reduced
pressure and the residue was purified by flash column chromatography.
METHOD D. To a solution of starting hetaryl methyl ketone 1e and 1f (1.0 equiv.) in anhydrous toluene
trifluoromethane sulfonic acid (TFSA, 2.0 mol%) was added slowly via the syringe under the inert argon
atmosphere at room temperature (25 °C). The reaction mixture was left to stir for 30 h at 100 °C. Dark
reaction mixture was poured to an ice water (100 mL) and stirred for 10 minutes. Water phase was then
extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 × 50 mL). Collected organic layers were washed with water (2 × 30 mL), saturated
solution of NaCl (2 × 20 mL) and then dried with Na2SO4. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure
and the residue was purified by flash column chromatography.
1,3,5-Tris-(thien-2-yl)benzene (3a). Yellow solid, after purification on flash flow column chromatography
(eluent: n-hexanes). Yield 55% (6.9 g) starting from 2-acetylthiophene 1a (0.039 mol, 4.9 g; SiCl4: 0.078 mol,
13.25 g, 9.0 mL, Method A, Entry 1, Table 2). Yield 35% (4.4 g), starting from 2-acetylthiophene (1a: 0.039 mol,
4.9 g; SiCl4: 0.156 mol, 26.5 g, 18.0 mL, Method C, Entry 2, Table 2). Mp 152–156 °C. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3)
δ (ppm) 7.11 (dd, J 3.6 Hz, J 5.1 Hz, 3H, 3 × H-4’thiophene), 7.34 (dd, J 1.1 Hz, J 6.5 Hz, 3H, 3 × H-3’thiophene), 7.40
(dd, J 1.1 Hz, J 6.5 Hz, 3H, 3 × H-5’thiophene), 7.74 (s, 3H, Ar-Hbenzene: H-2, H-4, H-6). 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ
(ppm) 122.7, 123.9, 125.4, 128.1, 135.7, 143.5. Anal. Calc. for C18H12S3 (324.48 g·mol-1): C, 66.63; H, 3.73; S,
29.65. Found: C, 66.50; H, 3.48; S, 29.74%. λmax(CHCl3) 296 nm. The 13C NMR and UV-Vis spectra are in
accordance with Kotha et al. 1999.3
1,3,5-Tris-(5-methylthien-2-yl)benzene (3b). Colorless solid, after purification on flash flow column
chromatography (eluent: CH2Cl2). Yield 58% (8.3 g) starting from 1-(5-methylthien-2-yl)ethanone (5-methyl-2-
acetylthiophene) (1b: 0.039 mol, 5.5 g; SiCl4: 0.078 mol, 13.25 g, 9.0 mL, Method A, Entry 3, Table 2). Mp 136–
138 °C. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.52 (s, 9H, 3 × CH3), 6.75 (dd, J 3.4 Hz, J 6.8 Hz, 3H, 3 × H-3’thiophene),
6.77 (d, J 6.8 Hz, 3H, 3 × H-4’thiophene), 7.57 (s, 3H, ArHbenzene: H-2, H-4, H-6). 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm)
15.5, 121.7, 123.6, 126.2, 135.7, 140.1, 141.3. Anal. Calc. for C21H18S3 (366.56 g·mol-1): C, 68.81; H, 4.95; S,
26.24. Found: C, 69.12; H, 4.80; S, 26.36%. λmax(CHCl3) 305 nm. The 13C NMR and UV-Vis spectra in accordance
with Kotha et al. 1999.3
1,3,5-Tris-(5-chlorothien-2-yl)benzene (3c). Colorless solid, after purification on flash flow column
chromatography (eluent: PhMe). Yield 58% (9.7 g) starting from 1-(5-chlorothien-2-yl)ethanone (5-chloro-2-
acetylthiophene) (1c: 0.039 mol, 6.2 g; SiCl4: 0.078 mol, 13.25 g, 9.0 mL, Method A, Entry 4, Table 2). Mp 172–
1
174 °C. H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 7.07 (d, J 6.4 Hz, 3H, 3 × H-4’thiophene), 7.14 (d, J 6.4 Hz, 3H, 3 × H-
13
3’thiophene), 7.54 (s, 3H, ArHbenzene: H-2, H-4, H-6). C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 121.9, 123.2, 127.2, 130.1,
135.2, 141.4. Anal. Calc. for C18H9Cl3S3 (427.82 g·mol-1): C, 50.53; H, 2.12; S, 22.49. Found: C, 50.62; H, 2.10; S,
22.64%. λmax(CHCl3) 304 nm. The 13C NMR and UV-Vis spectra in accordance with Kotha et al. 1999.3
1,3,5-Tris-(5-bromothien-2-yl)benzene (3d). Colorless solid, after purification on flash flow column
chromatography (eluent: PhMe). Yield 28% (6.1 g) starting from 1-(5-bromothien-2-yl)ethanone (5-bromo-2-
acetylthiophene) (1d: 0.039 mol, 8.0 g; SiCl4: 0.117 mol, 20.0 g, 13.5 mL, Method B, Entry 5, Table 2). Mp 112–
1
114 °C. H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 7.07 (d, J 6.8 Hz, 3H, 3 × H-3’thiophene), 7.14 (d, J 6.8 Hz, 3H, 3 × H-
4’thiophene), 7.54 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 112.4, 122.1, 124.5, 131.1, 135.6, 144.5. Anal. Calc.
for C18H9Br3S3 (561.17 g·mol-1): C, 38.53; H, 1.62; S, 17.14. Found: C, 38.64; H, 1.80; S, 17.40%. λmax(CHCl3) 264
nm. The analytical data are in accordance with Cao et al.49
(E)-1,3-Bis-(thien-2-yl)but-2-en-1-one (2a). Pale green-yellow oil, after purification on flash flow column
chromatography (eluent: CH2Cl2/i-hexane, 50:50). Yield 45% (4.1 g) starting from 2-acetylthiophene (1a: 0.039
mol, 4.9 g; SiCl4: 0.117 mol, 20.0 g, 13.5 mL, Method B, Entry 6, Table 2). Bp 160–164 °C/4.8 mm Hg; mp 70–74
Page 11
©ARKAT USA, Inc

Arkivoc 2018, v, 0-0
Andicsová-Eckstein, A. et al.
°C. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.50 (d, J 0.4 Hz, 3H, CH3), 6.12 (s, 1H, H-αolefinic), 7.14 (dd, J 1.2 Hz, J 6.4
Hz, 1H, H-4’thiophene), 7.22 (dd, J 1.6 Hz, J 6.8 Hz, 1H, H-4’’thiophene), 7.62 (d, J 6.4 Hz, 1H, H-3’thiophene), 7.65 (d, J
6.4 Hz, 1H, H-5’thiophene), 7.70 (dd, J 1.6 Hz, J 6.8 Hz, 1H, H-5"thiophene), 7.84 (d, J 6.8 Hz, 1H, H-3"thiophene). 13C NMR
(75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 20.4, 117.0, 125.5, 127.2, 128.8, 129.5, 134.8, 135.2, 136.0, 136.2, 144.0, 151.3,
182.1. Anal. Calc. for C12H10OS2 (234.34 g·mol-1): C, 61.50; H, 4.30; S, 27.37. Found: C, 61.72; H, 4.55; S, 27.25%.
λmax(CH2Cl2) 268, 366 nm.
(E)-1,3-Bis-(5-methylthien-2-yl)but-2-en-1-one (2b). Pale yellow oil, after purification on flash flow column
chromatography (eluent: CH2Cl2/i-hexane, 50:50). Yield 33% (3.4 g) starting from 1-(5-methylthien-2-
yl)ethanone (5-methyl-2-acetylthiophene) (1b: 0.039 mol, 5.4 g; SiCl4: 0.117 mol, 20.0 g, 13.5 mL, Method B,
Entry 7, Table 2). Bp 132–136°C / 4.8 mm Hg; mp 62–64 °C. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.53 (s, 6H, 2 ×
CH3), 2.64 (s, 3H, CH3), 6.23 (s, 1H, H-αolefinic), 6.75 (d, J 6.5 Hz, 1H, H-3’thiophene), 7.07 (d, J 6.5 Hz, 1H, H-
4’thiophene), 7.17 (d, J 6.8 Hz, 1H, H-4"thiophene), 7.20 (d, J 6.8 Hz, 1H, H-3"thiophene). 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ
(ppm) 15.9, 16.0, 17.5, 121.3, 126.6, 127.8, 128.7, 129.8, 133.6, 142.6, 145.3, 147.7, 148.9, 182.6. Anal. Calc.
for C14H14OS2 (265.05 g·mol-1): C, 64.08; H, 5.38; S, 24.44. Found: C, 64.20; H, 5.55; S, 24.75%. λmax(CH2Cl2) 255,
306, 363 nm.
(E)-1,3-Bis-(5-chlorothien-2-yl)but-2-en-1-one (2c). Pale yellowish oil, after purification on flash flow column
chromatography (eluent: PhMe) or by vaccum distillation. Yield 64% (7.5 g) starting from 1-(5-chlorothien-2-
yl)ethanone (5-chloro-2-acetylthiophene) (1c: 0.039 mol, 6.2 g; SiCl4: 0.156 mol, 26.5 g, 18.0 mL, Method C,
Entry 8, Table 2). Bp 82–86 °C / 4.8 mm Hg; mp 89–92 °C. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.60 (d, J 1.2 Hz,
3H, CH3), 6.91 (d, J 4.2 Hz, 1H, H-αolefinic), 6.94 (q, J 1.2 Hz, J 6.90 Hz, 1H, H-4"thiophene), 6.96 (d, J 6.2 Hz, 1H, H-
4’thiophene), 7.19 (d, J 6.2 Hz, 1H, H-3’thiophene), 7.50 (d, J 6.9 Hz, 1H, H-3"thiophene). 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ
(ppm) 17.4, 116.6, 127.3, 127.5, 130.1, 132.5, 139.1, 144.0, 145.8, 147.8, 181.6. Anal. Calc. for C12H8Cl2OS2
(303.23 g·mol-1): C, 47.53; H, 2.66; S, 21.15. Found: C, 47.19; H, 2.74; S, 21.34%. λmax(CH2Cl2) 272, 361 nm. The
boiling and the melting point are in accordance with Farrar and Levine.50
(E)-1,3-Bis-(5-bromothien-2-yl)but-2-en-1-one (2d). Pale yellow-green oil, after purification on flash flow
column chromatography (eluent: PhMe) or by vacuum distillation. Yield 31% (4.7 g) starting from 1-(5-
bromothien-2-yl)ethanone (5-bromo-2-acetylthiophene) (1d: 0.039 mol, 8.0 g; SiCl4: 0.156 mol, 26.5 g, 18.0
mL, Method C, Entry 9, Table 2). §Bp 98–102°C / 4.8 mm Hg; mp 105–107 °C. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm)
2.55 (d, J 1.3 Hz, 3H, CH3), 6.95 (q, J 1.3 Hz, 1H, H-αolefinic), 7.05 (d, J 6.2 Hz, 1H, H-4"thiophene), 7.10 (d, J 6.4 Hz,
1H, H-4’thiophene ), 7.15 (d, J 6.4 Hz, 1H, H-3’thiophene), 7.45 (d, J 6.2 Hz, 1H, H-3"thiophene). 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3)
δ (ppm) 15.9, 116.8, 127.1, 127.4, 130.2, 130.5, 132.2, 139.8, 140.0, 145.5, 147.9, 182.1. Anal. Calc. for
C12H8Br2OS2 (389.84 g·mol-1): C, 37.79; H, 2.06; S, 16.35. Found: C, 38.12; H, 2.44; S, 16.14%. λmax(CH2Cl2) 268,
354 nm.
(E)-1,3-Bis-{5-[(9H-fluorene-9-ylidene)methyl]thiene-2-yl}-but-2-en-1-one (2e). Viscous yellow oil, after
purification on flash flow column chromatography (eluent: CH2Cl2). Yield 33% (330 mg). Starting from 1-(5-
fluoren-9-ylidenemethylthien-2-yl)ethanone (1e: 1.7 mmol, 500 mg; CF3SO3H: 0.1 mmol, 15 mg, 9.0 μL;
Method D, Entry 10, Table 2). 1H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm) 2.65 (s, 3H, CH3), 6.85 (s, 1H, Hfluorenylidene),
6.95 (s, 1H, Hfluorenylidene), 7.05 (q, J 1.3 Hz, 1H, H-αolefinic), 7.30 (d, J 7.9 Hz, 2H, H-3’thiophene, H-3"thiophene), 7.83–
7.72 (m, 8Hfluorene), 7.89 (d, J 7.7 Hz, 2H, H-4’thiophene, H-4"thiophene), 8.00-8.19 (m, 8Hfluorene). 13C NMR (75 MHz,
DMSO-d6) δ (ppm) 18.2, 117.6, 118.5, 118.7, 119.5, 119.9, 120.1, 120.5, 120.7, 123.9, 124.0, 126.9, 127.1,
128.5, 128.6, 128.7, 129.2, 131.2, 131.7, 131.9, 134.8, 134.9, 138.1, 138.3, 138.6, 138.9, 140.7, 140.9, 145.9,
146.7, 147.3, 181.7. Anal. Calc. for C40H26OS2 (586.76 g·mol-1): C, 81.88; H, 4.47; S, 10.93. Found: C, 82.12; H,
5.00; S, 10.87%. λmax(CHCl3) 251, 259, 468 nm.
Page 12
©ARKAT USA, Inc

Arkivoc 2018, v, 0-0
Andicsová-Eckstein, A. et al.
(E)-1,3-Bis-{5-[(9H-fluorene-9-ylidene)methyl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrrole-2-yl}-but-2-en-1-one (2f). Viscous yellow,
after purification on flash flow column chromatography (eluent: CH2Cl2). Yield 33% (326 mg). Starting from 1-
{5-[(9H-fluorene-9-ylidene)methyl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrrole-2-yl}ethanone (1f: 1.7 mmol, 510 mg; CF3SO3H: 0.1
1
mmol, 15 mg, 9.0 μL; Method D, Entry 11, Table 2). H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm) 2.55 (s, 3H, CH3),
3.46 (s, 6H, 2 × CH3), 6.45 (d, J 3.9 Hz, 3H, 1 × H-αolefinic, 2 × Hfluorenylidene), 6.83 (d, J 6.9 Hz, 2H, H-4’pyrrole, H-
4"pyrrole), 7.21 (d, J 6.9 Hz, 2H, H-3’pyrrole, H-3"pyrrole), 7.37–7.33 (m, 8H, 8 × Hfluorene), 7.78–7.73 (m, 8H, 8 ×
Hfluorene). 13C NMR (75 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm) 24.2, 32.2, 110.9, 112.8, 112.9, 116.7, 119.8, 119.9, 120.1,
126.9, 127.7, 128.3, 131.4, 132.3, 136.4, 136.5, 139.6, 140.7, 182.0. Anal. Calc. for C42H32N2O (580.72 g·mol-1):
C, 86.87; H, 5.55; N, 4.82. Found: C, 86.53; H, 5.34; N, 4.67%. λmax(CHCl3) 252, 261, 460 nm.
1,3-Bis-(thien-2-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)benzene (4). To a solution of (E)-1,3-bis-(2-thienyl)but-2-en-1-one (2a,
1.22 mmol, 290 mg) and 4’-fluoroacetophenone (1.22 mmol, 168.5 mg, 148 µL) in anhydrous toluene (5 mL)
the tetrahydrate of erbium triflate [Er(OTf)3·4H2O, 0.12 mmol, 81.0 mg] was added. The mixture was stirred at
the boiling point of toluene (110 °C) for 6 h (Scheme 3). Reaction mixture was poured to a water (10 mL).
Water phase was extracted with toluene (3 × 15 mL). Collected organic layers were washed with water (2 × 10
mL), saturated solution of NaCl (2 × 10 mL) and then dried (Na2SO4). The solvent was evaporated under
reduced pressure and the residue was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent: n-hexanes). Yield
62% (254 mg) of cream-yellow solid. Mp 208-211 °C. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 7.17 (t, J 6.6 Hz, 2H, H-
4’thiophene, H-4"thiophene), 7.22 (t, J 1.9 Hz, J 6.6 Hz, 2H, H-4’thiophene, H-4"thiophene), 7.37 (s, 2H, ArH, H-4, H-6), 7.58
(d, J 6.6 Hz, 2H, H-3’thiophene, H-3"thiophene), 7.70 (d, J 6.6 Hz, 2H, H-5’thiophene, H-5"thiophene), 7.71 (J 3.7 Hz, 2H, H-
2"'benzene, H-6"'benzene), 7.92 (d, J 3.7 Hz, 2H, H-3"'benzene, H-5"'benzene), 8.21 (s, 1H, ArH, H-1benzene). 13C NMR (75
MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 118.4, 124.6, 137.7, 145.9, 153.4, 154.7, 165.9, 175.6, 178.9, 198.7, 198.9. For C20H13FS2
(336.45 g·mol-1) (ESI) m/z 337.14 [M+H+].
Acknowledgements
This work was financially supported by grants provided by the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic,
Nos VEGA 1/0534/16; VEGA 2/0161/17 and VEGA 1/0871/16. Financial support of the Slovak Research and
Development Agency APVV (contract no. 15-0079) is also acknowledged.
References
1. Plazek, D. J.; Magill, J. H. J. Chem. Phys. 1966, 45, 3038–3050.
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1728059
2. Okumoto, K.; Shirota, Y. Appl. Phys. Lett. 2001, 79, 1231–1233.
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1398325
3. Kotha, S.; Chakraborty, K.; Brahmachary, E. Synlett 1999, 1621–1623.
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-1999-2895
4. Shimasaki, T.; Takyiama, Y.; Nishihara, Y.; Morimoto, A.; Teramoto, N.; Shibata, M. Tetrahedron Lett. 2015,
56, 260–263.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tetlet.2014.11.080
5. Jarosz, T.; Lapkowski, M.; Ledwon, P. Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2014, 35, 1006–1032.
https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.201400061
Page 13
©ARKAT USA, Inc

Arkivoc 2018, v, 0-0
Andicsová-Eckstein, A. et al.
6. Lee, J. W.; Lee, S. J.; Jho, J. Y.; Lee, J. H. Molecular Cryst. Liquid Cryst. 2015, 621, 70–75.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15421406.2015.1095960
7. Sirilaksanapong, S.; Sukwattanasinitt, M.; Rashatasakhon, P. Chem. Commun. 2012, 48, 293–295.
https://doi.org/10.1039/C1CC16148B
8. He, X.; Chen, L.; Zhao, Y.; Ng, S. Ch.; Wang, X.; Sun. X.; Hu, X. (M.) RSC Adv. 2015, 20, 15399–15406.
https://doi.org/10.1039/C4RA14934C
9. Suzuki, K.; Seno, A,; Tanabe, H.; Ueno, K. Synth. Met. 2004, 143, 89–96.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.synthmet.2003.10.009
10. Khotina, I. A.; Shapovalov, A. V; Kushakova, N. S.; Sergeev, A. M.; Peregudov, A. S.; Rusanov, A. L.; Babich,
S. A.; Bystrova, N. A.; Kovalev, A. I. Polymer. Sci. B 2011, 53, 578–585.
https://doi.org/10.1134/S1560090411110030
11. Zhang, S.-L.; Xue Z.-F.; Gao, Y.-R.; Mao, S.; Wang, Y.-Q. Tetrahedron Lett. 2012, 53, 2436–2439.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tetlet.2012.03.008
12. Tsui, E. Y.; Day, M.W.; Agapie, T. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 1668–1672.
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201005232
13. Maciejczyk, M. R.; Williams, J. A. G.; Robertson, N.; Pietraszkiewicz, M. RSC Adv. 2017, 7, 49532–49535.
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7RA07671A
14. Clapp, D. B.; Morton, A. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1936, 58, 2172–2172.
https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01302a025
15. Manna, S.; Antonchick, A. P. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 5290–5293.
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201600807
16. Dash, J.; Trawnya, D.; Rabec, J. P.; Reissig, H.-U. Synlett. 2015, 26, 1486–1489.
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0034-1380716
17. Rossi, S.; Benaglia, M.; Genoni, A. Tetrahedron 2014, 70, 2065–2080.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2014.01.055
18. Dash, B. P.; Satapathy, R.; Maguire, J. A.; Hosmane, N. S. Org. Lett. 2008, 10, 2247–2250.
https://doi.org/10.1021/ol8005248
19. Gupta, H. K.; Reginato, N.; Ogini, F. O.; Brydges, S.; McGlinchey, M. J. Can. J. Chem. 2002, 80, 1546–1554.
https://doi.org/10.1139/V02-152
20. Cherioux, F.; Guyard, L. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2011, 4, 305–309.
https://doi.org/10.1002/1616-3028(200108)
21. Li, Z.; Sun, W.-H.; Jin, X.; Shao, C. Synlett 2001, 1947–1949.
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2001-18771
22. Periasamy, M.; Natarajan Jayakumar, K.; Bharathi, P. J. Org. Chem. 2005, 70, 5420–5425.
https://doi.org/10.1021/jo0504215
23. Zhao, Y.; Li, J.; Li, Ch.; Yin, K.; Ye, D.; Jia, X. Green Chem. 2010, 12, 1370–1372.
https://doi.org/10.1039/c0gc00158a
24. Zhang, C.-L.; Ye, S. Org. Lett. 2016, 18, 6408–6411.
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.orglett.6b03306
25. Wagh, K. V.; Bhanage B. M. ACS Suss. Chem. Eng. 2016, 4, 4232–4236.
https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.6b00729
26. Boroujeni, M. B.; Hashemzadeh, A.; Faroughi, M.-T.; Shaabani, A.; Amini, M. M. RSC Adv. 2016, 6, 100195–
100202.
https://doi.org/10.1039/c6ra24574a
Page 14
©ARKAT USA, Inc

Arkivoc 2018, v, 0-0
Andicsová-Eckstein, A. et al.
27. Tayebee, R.; Savoji, K.; Razi, M. K.; Maleki, B. RSC Adv. 2016, 6, 55319–55326.
https://doi.org/10.1039/c6ra07141d
28. Tayebee, R.; Jarrahi, M. RSC Adv. 2015, 5, 21206–21214.
https://doi.org/10.1039/c5ra01344e
29. Zhao, S.; Kang, L.; Ge, H.; Yang, F.; Wang, C.; Li, C.; Wang, Q.; Zhao, M. Synth. Commun. 2012, 42, 3569 –
3578.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00397911.2011.585731
30. Ghanbaripour, R.; Mohammadpoor-Baltork, I.; Moghadam, M.; Khosropour, A. R.; Tangestaninejad, S.;
Mirkhani, V. Polyhedron 2012, 31, 721–728.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2011.10.027
31. Phatangare, K.; Padalkar, V.; Mhatre, D.; Patil, K.; Chaskar, A. Synth. Commun. 2009, 39, 4117–4121.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00397910902885533
32. Ono, F.; Ishikura, Y.; Tada, Y.; Endo, M.; Sato, T. Synlett 2008, 15, 2365–2367.
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1078012
33. Muzart, J. Synth. Commun. 1985, 15, 285–289.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00397918508063801
34. Deng, K.; Huai, Q.-Y.; Shen, Z.-L.; Li, H.-J.; Liu, Ch.; Wu, Y.-Ch. Org. Lett. 2015, 17, 1473–1476.
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.orglett.5b00353
35. Wagh, D. G.; Akamanchi, K. G. Tetrahedron Lett. 2017, 58, 3032–3036.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tetlet.2017.06.055
36. Elmorsy, S. S.; Khalil, A. G. M.; Girges, M. M.; Salama, T. A. Tetrahedron Lett. 1997, 38, 1071–1074.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(96)02470-7
37. Clerici, A.; Porta, O. J. Org. Chem. 1985, 50, 76–81.
https://doi.org/10.1021/jo00201a015
38. Ott, A. A.; Goshey, Ch. S.; Topczewski, J. J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 7737–7740.
https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.7b04203
39. Yamashiro, S.; Imafuku, K. Synth. Commun. 2003, 33, 2757–2762.
https://doi.org/10.1081/10426500802589907
40. Badawy, D. S.; Abdel-Galil, E.; Kandeel, E. M.; Basyouni, W. M.; Khatab, T. K. Phosphorus, Sulfur Silicon
Relat. Elem. 2009, 184, 2799–1812.
https://doi.org/10.1080/SCC-120022162
41. Ramalingan, Ch.; Kwak, Y.-W. Tetrahedron 2008, 64, 5023–5041.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2008.03.078
42. Dalpozzo, R.; De Nino, A.; Nardi, M.; Procopio, A. Mini Rev. Org. Chem. 2009, 6, 86–94.
https://doi.org/10.2174/157019309788167729
43. Procopio, A.; Dalpozzo, R.; De Nino, A.; Maiuolo, L.; Russo, B.; Sindona, G. Adv. Synth. Catal. 2004, 346,
1465–1470.
https://doi.org./10.1002/adsc.200404132
44. Tsuruta, H.; Yamaguchi, K.; Imamoto, T. Chem. Commun. 1999, 17, 1703–1704.
https://doi.org./10.1039/A905569J
45. He, F.; Wu, H.; Chen, J.; Su, W. Synth. Commun. 2008, 38, 255–264.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00397910701750292
46. Altenhöner, K.; Lamm, J.-H.; Mattay, J. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2010, 6033–6037.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ejoc.201000721
Page 15
©ARKAT USA, Inc

Arkivoc 2018, v, 0-0
Andicsová-Eckstein, A. et al.
47. Nam, Ng. H.; Buu-Hoï, Ng. Ph.; Xuong, Ng. D. J. Chem. Soc. 1954, 1690–1695.
https://doi.org/10.1039/JR9540001690
48. Andicsová-Eckstein, A.; Tokár, K.; Kozma, E.; Tokárová Z. New. J. Chem. 2017, 48, 14871–14875.
https://doi.org/10.1039/c7nj02857a
49. Cao, X.-Y.; Liu, X.-H.; Zhou, X.-H.; Zhang, Y.; Jiang, Y.; Cao, Y.; Cui, Y.-X.; Pei, J. J. Org. Chem. 2004, 69, 6050–
6058.
https://doi.org/10.1021/jo049268p
50. Farrar, M. W.; Levine, R. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1950, 72, 3695–3698.
https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01164a103
Page 16
©ARKAT USA, Inc