Direct Alkylation and Phenylation of 3,8-Dibromo-1,10-phenanthroline with Grignard Reagents

Reactions of alkyl and phenyl Grignard reagents with 3,8-dibromo-1,10-phenanthroline led to alkylation and phenylation at the 2-position of 1,10-phenanthroline. The prepared 2-alkyl-1,10-phenanthroline forms a 1:1 complex with Cu(II) and serves as a starting material for poly(2-alkyl-1,10-phenanthroline-3,8-diyl).