The synthesis, characterization, and electropolymerization of a series of extended fused-ring thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine-based terthienyls are reported. The target terthienyls contain a central extended thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine analogue containing 2-thienyl units at the reactive α-positions of the central thiophene. The extended fused-ring thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine analogues studied include acenaphtho[1,2-b]thieno[3,4-e]pyrazine, dibenzo[f,h]thieno[3,4-b]quinoxaline, and thieno[3′,4′:5,6]-pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline. Comparison of the electrochemical and photophysical properties to simple thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine-based terthienyls and their polymeric analogues are reported in order to provide structure-function relationships within this series of compounds and materials.

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Four donor–acceptor (D-A) copolymers of 2,3-difunctionalized thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine (TP) and 9,9-dioctylfluorene were prepared in order to illustrate the ability to tune the electronic and optical properties of TP-based D-A polymers by the choice of side chains on the TP unit. In addition, analogous polymers were prepared with and without thiophene spacer units in order to allow discussion of their effect on the material properties. This combination of effects allowed tuning of the band gap over the range of 1.6–2.1 eV. Full optical and electrochemical characterization is reported for all materials, as well as initial photovoltaic device data for representative materials.

The application of sterically hindered palladium catalysts to the regioselective hydrodebromination of 2,3,5-tribromothiophene has been studied in detail, including the effects of catalyst choice, solvent, reaction time, and temperature, as well as the method of NaBH 4 addition and the role of chelating additives to effect NaBH 4 solubility. Ultimately it was determined that the background reaction between NaBH 4 and bromothiophenes is too facile to allow both total conversion and high selectivity. Optimized conditions finally allowed a selectivity of ca. 16:1 with overall conversion of 100%. However, complications of overdebromination under these conditions still limit the yield of the desired 2,3-dibromothiophene to 65%.