1-Aryl-F-1,3-butadienes and Unsymmetrical alpha,omega-Diaryl-F-polyenes.

Para-substituted 1-aryl-F-1,3-butadiene derivatives p-R-C6H4-CFCFCFCF2 (2a−g), where R = H, CH3, OCH3, OC6H11, N(CH3)2, Br, and CF3, have been prepared by reaction of appropriate arylmagnesium bromides with F-1,3-butadiene. 19F NMR chemical shifts correlate with σp Hammett substituent constants. Compounds 2a−e react on their terminal perfluorovinyl group with C-nucleophiles and were used as intermediates in subsequent reactions with suitable organolithium compounds for the synthesis of a new series of unsymmetrically substituted α,ω-diaryl-F-polyenes RC6H4(CFCF)nC6H4R‘, where n = 2 or 3 and R‘ is one of the substituents specified above. A variety of new synthons containing α,ω-diaryl-F-1,3-butadiene skeleton and reactive Br, OH, CHO, and COOH functionalities in para-positions on aromatic rings has been also prepared. Structural aspects, NMR spectra, and mesogenic properties of the title compounds are discussed.