The coupling of substituted thiophenes is central to the synthesis of conducting polymers but relies on costly Pd-catalysed cross-couplings. Here, Earth-abundant iron and aluminium are shown to catalyse a regioselective thienyl C–H/C–H dimerization, enabling the synthesis of an array of π-conjugated polythiophenes.
- Takahiro Doba
- Laurean Ilies
- Eiichi Nakamura
