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Abstract: Two novel, thioether containing benzannulated enediyne ligands, 1,2-bis(3-(quinolin-8-ylsulfanyl)prop-1-ynyl)benzene (1), and 1,2-bis(3-(pyridin-2-ylmethylsulfanyl)prop-1-ynyl)benzene (2) have been synthesized and characterized along with their corresponding Cu(I), Ag(I), Cu(II), and Pd(II) metalloenediyne complexes (3–10). Single crystal X-ray structures of the d10 and d8 N2S2 complexes show thioether coordination leading to distorted tetrahedral and trans square planar geometries about the metal centers, respectively. Based on their X-ray structures, all complexes are expected to exhibit high Bergman cyclization temperatures (>200 °C), and indeed this is the case for the Cu(I) and Ag(I) complexes (211–218 °C). In contrast, the corresponding divalent, tetragonal and trans square planar complexes of Cu(II) and Pd(II) exhibit more facile reactivity and lower solid state Bergman cyclization temperatures (186–190 °C) which more closely resemble values expected for cis-complexes. The unusual order in the thermal reactivities of these constructs can be attributed to a previously evaluated mechanism by which weak thioether coordination permits an elevated temperature trans-to-cis geometric rearrangement prior to Bergman cyclization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Isomerization of soluble precursor compounds to produce fused-ring systems is an attractive approach for preparing conjugated polymers and oligomers. Cycloaromatization chemistry has previously been explored in this capacity employing reactions based on the Bergman cyclization. Using ethynyl sulfides with a terminal o-diethynylbenzene unit, an alternative strategy is demonstrated that offers selectivity advantages in the kinetically controlled radical cyclizations. The products are acene-fused thiophenes in which the diethynylsulfide acts as a relay for the diradical produced in a Bergman cyclization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]