Group 15 Pnictenium Cations Supported by a Conjugated Bithiophene Backbone

Thiophene based polymers and oligomers have attracted
considerable
attention because they can be functionalized to alter the gap between
the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied
molecular orbital (LUMO), which enables the design of tunable light
emitting materials. One area, which has been less explored, is the
incorporation of low coordinate, low oxidation state main group elements
into these systems. We have currently developed a novel π-conjugated
ligand containing two contiguous thiophene rings in which we have
demonstrated its ability to support both pnictogen cations and their
metal complexes.