ortho-Tetraaryls as helical building blocks: a study of structure, theory, electrochemistry, and optical properties

(ortho)-3,3′-Diphenyl-2,2′-bithiophene is shown to exhibit a solid-state helical conformation that is consistent with MMFF predictions of structure. The optical, electronic, and conformational properties of this compound are examined, and the results are commensurate with a helical building block capable of exhibiting redox-induced conformational changes along the long molecular axis. Such a property demonstrates promise for this tetramer to function as building block for a spring-like electromechanical actuator.