Abstract
The synthesis of a new 2,2'-bipyridyl functionalized oligovinylenephenylene (OVP-5) containing a methyl protected thiol using Heck coupling and the Horner-Wadsworth- Emmons reaction and is described. A key step involving a diisopropylcarbodiimide promoted dehydration of a stable ?-hydroxyphosphonate intermediate was identified. The structure of precursor E-(4-(4-bromostyryl) phenyl)(methyl)sulfane (1) was determined using X-ray crystallography. © 2012 by the authors.