Rapid consecutive three-component coupling-Fiesselmann synthesis of luminescent 2,4-disubstituted thiophenes and oligothiophenesDedicated to Prof. Dr Klaus Hafner on the occasion of his 85th birthday.Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental procedures and characterization of compounds 1 and 7. See DOI: 10.1039/c2cc17548g

(Hetero)aroyl chlorides, alkynes, and ethyl 2-mercapto acetate can be reacted in a consecutive three-component synthesis to give 2,4-disubstituted thiophene 5-carboxylates in good to excellent yields. In the sense of a pseudo-five-component reaction highly blue luminescent symmetrical terthiophenes and a quinquethiophene can be synthesized in excellent yield. Blue luminescent 2,4-disubstituted thiophene 5-carboxylates can be readily and efficiently synthesized via a consecutive Sonogashira-Fiesselmann synthesis starting from (hetero)aroyl chlorides, alkynes, and ethyl 2-mercapto acetate.