OPE/OPV H-mers: synthesis, electronic properties, and spectroscopic responses to binding with transition metal ions

A new type of structurally defined H-shaped OPE/OPV co-oligomers (termed H-mers) functionalized with various donor and/or acceptor end groups was synthesized by iterative Sonogashira coupling and Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) reactions. Electronic substitution effects on the H-mer backbone were investigated by UV–vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Some H-mers were found to show spectral responses upon binding to an acid (TFA) or transition metal ions, revealing the applicability of H-mers in the field of chromophore and fluorophore based chemosensors.