Syntheses of 7-Substituted Anthra[2,3- b]thiophene Derivatives and Naphtho[2,3- b:6,7- b']dithiophene

7-R-Anthra[2,3- b]thiophene derivatives (1, R = H, Me, i-Pr, or MeO) are prepared in three steps (in average overall yield >50%) starting from ( E)-4-RC₆H₄CH₂(HOCH₂)C═CI(CH₂OH). The latter are commercial or readily prepared from 2-butyne-1,4-diol and ArCH₂Cl (both costing <1 cent/mmol) at 10 g scales. These allow for the selective formation of (otherwise unattainable) higher solubility 7-derivatives. Similar methods allow for the preparation of naphtho[2,3- b:6,7- b']dithiophene 2 using equally low-cost starting materials.