A new approach to the synthesis of oligomers. Application to the synthesis of p-phenylene thioether wires

Oligothioethers 4-RC6H4(SC6H4-4)nX (n = 1–3; X = Br, I; R = NO2; X = Br; R = MeO. n = 1 and 2; X = I; R = MeO. n = 4; X = Br; R = NO2) have been prepared through a process involving (i) palladium-catalyzed C–S coupling between 4-RC6H4(SC6H4-4)n−1I and 4-BrC6H4SH to give 4-RC6H4(SC6H4-4)nBr and (ii) copper-catalyzed replacement of Br by I.