Synthesis of nanostructures based on 1,4- and 1,3,5-phenylethynyl units with π-extended conjugation. Carbon networks dendrimer base units

A convenient and efficient synthesis of 3,5-di(silylethynyl)phenylacetylene and p-[3,5-di(silylethynyl)phenylethynyl]phenylacetylene has been carried out. These compounds serve to prepare nanometer-sized conjugated 1,4- and 1,3,5-phenylethynyl oligomers, by means of cross-coupling with a convenient haloaryl derivative, catalysed by palladium(II), in excellent yields. The phenylethynyl homologues show fluorescence emission, the wavelength of which is displaced by approximately 20 nm by each phenylethynyl unit increasing the conjugate chain.