3,4-Bis(5-iodo-2-methylthien-3-yl)-2,5-dihydrothiophene: A Powerful Synthon­ for the Preparation of Photochromic Dithienylethene Derivatives

A dithienylethene synthon, 3,4-bis-(5-iodo-2-methylthien-3-yl)-2,5-dihydrothiophene, was prepared and used as a starting material for the preparation of several photochromic dithien­ylethene derivatives via Suzuki cross-coupling reactions. The dithienylethene synthon was stable once stored in the dark at room temperature.