Bridged dithienylethylenes (DTEs) bearing solubilizing alkyl chains at various positions (2-5) have been synthesized by McMurry dimerization of cyclopenta [b] thiophen-6-ones. In order to introduce alkyl substituents at different positions of the DTE molecule, the precursor ketones have been prepared by different strategies based on a combination of Mannich or Wittig-Horner reaction and Friedel-Craft intramolecular cyclization. The position and the ...