Synthesis of 2,5 -Bis(4-methyl-2-thienyl)thiophene and 2,5-Bis(4-methyl-2-thienyl)pyrrole

Syntheses of 2,5-bis(4-methyl-2-thienyl)thiophene 3 and 2,5-bis(4-methyl-2-thienyl)pyrrole 4 are described. The key step involves Stetter reaction between 4-methyl-2-thiophenecarboxaldehyde and divinyl sulfone. Cyclizaton of the resulting 1,4-bis-(4-methyl-2-thienyl)-1,4-butanedione 2 with Lawesson's reagent gives 2,5-bis(4-methyl-2-thienyl)thiophene 3, whereas condensation with ammonium acetate provides the 2,5-bis(4-methyl-2-thienyl)pyrrole 4.