Nancy S. Goroff

An iterative synthetic route for obtaining symmetric polyynes was developed, consisting of a series of iodination and Stille coupling reactions. The starting materials employed in this pathway are simple and can be prepared easily. Polyynes containing up to seven C≡C bonds were synthesized using this method. This route is particularly effective for accessing polyynes with an odd number of C≡C bonds and has allowed for the synthesis of a new iodine‐capped polyyne, diiododecapentayne.

Diiodobutadiyne (1) and diiodohexatriyne (2) form cocrystals with bispyridyl oxalamides and ureas, based on the halogen bond between the alkynyl iodine and pyridine nitrogen. In each cocrystal, the oxalamide or urea host forms one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded networks, aligning the diiodopolyyne for potential topochemical polymerization with a repeat distance matching the host repeat.