This thesis introduces the idea of Band Theory and how it can be used to describe a solid-state materials ability to carry an electrical charge. Next, this thesis defines what makes a material a conductor, semiconductor, or insulator. Semiconductors are attracting interest in chemistry, as well as in the manufacturing of consumer electronics, because of their ability to carry a charge, without the risk of short-circuiting like traditional conductors.1,4 Organic semiconductors, which behave differently than traditional semiconductors, are of particular interest because they offer mechanical flexibility, lowcost, simplicity, and the ability to be manufactures at low temperatures.6 Nonorganic and organic semiconductors can be enhanced by a process called doping, which is further explained within this thesis. This thesis will focus on the unique properties and advantages that heterocycles, particularly thiophene and thiophene derivative complexes, and cyclopenta[c]thiophenes offer in the manufacturing of organic semiconductors. One area of thiophene research that has showed promise in leading to mass production of semiconductors derived from thiophene complexes is the use of thiophenes with electron withdrawing groups attached to the two and five position.26-27 In a recent publication in the Journal of Sulfur Chemistry a novel approach for developing thiophene derivatives was successfully investigated.27-31 This novel approach will be explained, and a successful synthetic route using 2,5-dimethylthiophene as a starting material will be provided. This thesis also explored using 2,5-dichlorothiophene and 2,5- dibromothiophene as novel starting materials in the previously successful route utilizing 2,5-dimethylthiophene. Unfortunately, however, this area of research was unsuccessful; therefore, research shifted towards the development of the lactone 1,3-Dimethyl-7,8- dihydro-4H-thieno[3,4-c]oxepin-6-one, which is one of the many products needed for the newly proposed synthetic route of manufacturing cyclopenta[c]thiophenes utilizing a much shorter route than previously attempted. Even more importantly, the synthetic route that was attempted is filled with mostly fundamental bedrock organic chemistry that can be pulled straight from a textbook. Research stopped at the lactone due to time constraints; however, this creates an opportunity for ongoing research for future undergraduate and graduate students.

The synthesis, structure, and reactivity of some organometallic-fusedheterocycles were studied. This work was divided into three parts: first,thiapentalenyl tricarbonyl manganese complexes [Mn(CO)3{??5-SC7H3-1,3-(R)2}]were synthesized employing thiation on diacyl precursors; second, attempts toform the 5,5-fused ring pyrrole analogs to the thiapentalenyl complexes led to theformation of various amine and imine ligands and manganese complexes, but notthe desired ring-closed pyrroles; third, reductive amination on a ferrocenylmonoaldehyde substrate led to the formation of di(N-(ferrocenylmethyl))-Nmethylamineand its cyanoborane and cyanoborohydride analogs.Isolation of the desired thiapentalenyl manganese complexes wasaccomplished by first forming 1,2-diacylcyclopentadienes (fulvenes), convertingto the corresponding thallium salts [Tl{1,2-C5H3(COR)2}] employing thalliumethoxide, transmetallating with [Mn(CO)5Br], and ring closing using either P4S10or Lawesson's Reagent. Ring closure from the diacylmanganese complexes[Mn(CO)3{??5-1,2-C5H3(COR)2}] gave air stable thiapentalenyl complexes inmoderate to good yield and was tolerable to a variety of functional groups (aryl,arylacetyl, t-butyl). In the cases where 1,2-diarylacetyl complexes wereemployed, the isolated products were "quinoidal". While ring closure on thecorresponding diacylrhenium tricarbonyl complexes was not feasible, it wasobserved that these quinoidal thiapentalenyl structures could be formed on aruthenium Cp* moiety using the arylacetyl fulvenes.Various keto-amines or enol-imines could be formed from the 1,2-dibenzoyl fulvene employing primary amines (R = H, Me, OH, OMe). In thepresence of a reducing agent, neither reduction nor ring closure was observedfor any of the cases investigated. Formation of the corresponding manganesetricarbonyl complex for the methyoxyimine case was accomplished by reaction ofthe enol-methoxyimine with thallium ethoxide and then transmetallating with[Mn(CO)5Br]. Reaction of this keto-imine complex with various reducing agentsdid not lead to the desired 5,5-fused ring pyrrole complex but to reduction to thecorresponding alcohol.Diferrocenylmethyl methylamine complexes were obtained by reaction offerrocene monoaldehyde with ferrocenylmethyl methylamine in the presence of amild reducing agent (NaCNBH3). Isolation under anhydrous conditions gave theunexpected cyanoborohydride salt, di(N-(ferrocenylmethyl))-N-methylammoniumcyanoborohydride. Aqueous work-up gave the corresponding free amine.Conversion of the cyanoborohydride salt to the corresponding cyanoborane,di(N-(ferrocenylmethyl))-N-methylammonium–cyanoborane, was accomplishedby refluxing the cyanoborohydride salt in THF.