Oxidation of Unsymmetrically Substituted Quaterthiophene with Two Terminal Ferrocenyl Groups

Abstract An unsymmetrically substituted quaterthiophene with two terminal ferrocenyl groups was prepared as a long π-conjugated system. Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies were carried out to evaluate the electronic and/or electrostatic communication between the two terminals. The one-electron oxidation would occur at one ferrocene moiety specified due to the unsymmetry of the oligothiophene moiety. The one-electron oxidizing species extended into the oligothiophene moiety apparently interacts with the other terminal ferrocene moiety.