Suzuki route to regioregular polyalkylthiophenes using Ir-catalysed borylation to make the monomer, and Pd complexes of bulky phosphanes as coupling catalysts for polymerisation

Bulky, electron-rich Pd(0)-phosphane complexes are effective catalysts for the preparation of regioregular polyalkylthiophenes using Suzuki coupling; the necessary monomer can be prepared in high yield by Ir-catalysed borylation, without the need for strong bases.