Polyynes as Precursors of Photoluminescent Solvent Polarity Probes

A simple and convenient synthesis of substituted thiophenes from pyrrole end-capped polyynes is being reported. The method allows one to obtain a variety of different fluorescent oligo(hetero)aryles from polyyne precursors. The resulting thiophenes exhibit strong emission solvatochromism in a wide scope of different solvents which makes them promising candidates for fluorescent solvent polarity probes.