Asymmetric rotators with a 1,4-bis(ethynyl)bicyclo[2.2.2]octane (BCO) core are needed for engineering crystalline arrays of functional molecular rotors. Their synthesis uses carbinol, 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, as a protecting group because of its polar character and its ability to sustain orthogonal functionalization with the further advantage of being readily removed. The synthesis in good yields...

An inexpensive synthesis of 6-ethynylbipyridine has been accomplished using Sonogashira coupling of 2-bromo-6-iodopyridine with 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol. Subsequent Stille coupling with 2-(trimethylstannanyl) pyridine and hydrolysis provided the target compound in an overall high yield.