Figure 1

Addition–elimination reaction for the generation of dimethylamino substituted aroyl-S,N-ketene acetals 3a and b (A), Consecutive three-component condensation-Suzuki coupling synthesis of aroyl-S,N-ketene acetal bichromophore 5a (B), Suzuki coupling synthesis of dimethylamino aroyl-S,N-ketene acetal bipyridine bichromophore 5b (C), MBSC synthesis of 1,10-phenanthroline bridged trichromophore 5c (D).