Synthesis and photo-physical properties of methoxy-substituted π-conjugated-2,2′-bipyridines

4,4′-Bis-vinyl-2,2′ bipyridines have been known in the area of materials chemistry since last few decades. Bipyridine molecules bearing donor substituents in their π backbone are examples of ‘push–pull’ molecules. Emissive properties of such ligands depend on the position of the donor unit in their π backbone. The Horner–Wordsworth–Emmons reaction has been used extensively to synthesize such types of conjugated systems. Three newly synthesized highly conjugated 2,2′ bipyridines (3a–c) have been described. The molecules 3a–c are highly emissive in the visible region at room temperature.