Extended π-systems: synthesis and characterization

A brief overview of the synthetic accessibility of fully π-conjugated ladder-type polymers is given. A recent development in this area is the synthesis of a 4-(dodecyl)phenyl-substituted Diels—Alder monomer 10. This synthesis, first studies of the polymerization of 10, and the synthesis of model compound 14, which contains 19 condensed unsaturated five- and six-membered rings, are described.