An efficient synthesis of 5,5′-diaryl-2,2′-bichalcophenes

A convenient and high yielding synthesis of 5,5′-diaryl-2,2′-bichalcophenes (furans, thiophenes, and selenophenes) by the hexabutylditin-mediated homocoupling of 5-bromochalcophenes is described. This approach has been applied to the synthesis of the blue-light-emitting compound 5,5′-bis(4-aminophenyl)-2,2′-bifuryl (PFDA).