Facile synthesis and characterization of new polymerizable conjugated 2,5-di(selenophen-2-yl)pyrroles and 2,5-difuranylpyrroles

A facile synthesis of novel π-conjugated 2,5-di(selenophen-2-yl)pyrroles (SeNSe) and 2,5-difuranylpyrroles (ONO) via Paal-Knorr reaction as the key step is presented. Photophysical and electrochemical studies of the various products have been explored. A bathochromic shift of the emission maximum is observed for all SeNSes over ONOs. Extended conjugation with a phenyl moiety further promotes the bathochromic shift. These SeNSe and ONO derivatives exhibit lower oxidation potentials than their terselenophene and terthiophene analogues.