Copper-Templated Formation of Dihelical Oligothiophene–Phenanthroline Assemblies

Abstract

Abstract We report the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of a series of (oligo)thiophene-bridged (bis)phenanthroline ligands. The complexation behavior of the ditopic ligands with Cu(I) was explored by high-resolution ESI mass spectrometry, UV-vis spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. Whereas ligands, in which the phenanthrolines are bridged by smaller (oligo)thiophene units, provided mainly mononuclear complexes, quaterthiophene-based ditopic ligands show a strong tendency to undergo metal-templated self-assembly into double-stranded, dinuclear helicates.

Keywords

• oligothiophenes
• phenanthrolines
• helicates
• copper(i) complexation
• optoelectronic properties