Access to Functionalized Luminescent Multi-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine Ligands.

A one-pot synthesis of substituted multi-2,2':6',2″-terpyridines (multi-tpy) has been achieved using an acetylquaterpyridine precursor with various aryl aldehydes in basic media. This strategy enables ready access to functionalized tri-terpyridines. Utilizing a Suzuki-type cross-coupling, larger structures such as tetra- or even hexa-tpy were obtained from our tri-tpy precursor. These macromolecular units are ideal building blocks for the construction of transition-metal-based supramolecular assemblies.