Synthesis and characterization of novel thiophene based tetramers for potential detection of protein aggregates

Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease is a big problem in the elderly population. An important tool in gaining insight in this disease are staining studies using different probes. Conjugated oligothiophenes have shown promising properties as probes and in this thesis new potential probes have been made. Three new tetrameric probes have been synthesized, consisting of three thiophene units and one aromatic heterocycle moiety. The aromatic heterocycles used were BTD, pyridine and indole. The synthesis method involved Suzuki cross coupling, bromination with NBS and iridium catalyst borylation. The BTD and pyridine containing probes were tested in staining experiments and the pyridine probe showed promising results.