Efficient synthesis of mono- and bis-arylated ethylenedioxy thiophene-based functional π-conjugated molecules via clay-supported palladium-catalysed direct arylation reactions

An active Pd catalyst was prepared by the modification of montmorillonite clay. The catalyst was found to be effective for the synthesis of ethylenedioxy thiophene-based π-conjugated molecules. The reaction proceeded through clay-supported Pd-catalysed direct C–H bond activation (arylation) mechanism. Preparation, characterization and application of the catalysts are reported. The products were analysed with LCMS, and comparison with reported spectral data (FT-IR, ¹H NMR). Reusability of clay-supported palladium catalyst towards direct arylation reaction was tested for three reaction cycles without a significant loss of catalytic activity.