Synthesis and reactivity of 9,10-bis(4-trimethylsilylethynylbuta-1,3-diynyl)anthracene derived chromophores.

9,10-Bis(4-trimethylsilylethynylbutadiynyl)anthracene is readily availabe from the reaction of anthraquinone and LiCCCCSiMe 3 followed by reduction with Sn(II) and serves as a convenient building block via desilylation and palladium-mediated C-C coupling processes for the construction of further butadiynylanthracenes terminated by metal complexes, arenes, haloarenes and alkynyl functionalities.