Synthesis of fused oligosiloles by rhodium-catalyzed stitching reaction and subsequent remote conjugate dehydration.

A new synthetic method for p-conjugated fused oligosiloles has been developed by combining a rhodium-catalyzed stitching reaction and subsequent remote conjugate elimination. Aromatization-driven 1,8-, 1,10-, or 1,12-dehydration was successfully utilized and up to 3 silole units were consecutively fused in a p-conjugated manner. The structural change upon conjugate elimination was confirmed by using X-ray crystallographic analysis, and the optical and electrochemical properties of a series of newly synthesized fused oligosiloles were also examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]