Synthesis of photochromic 1,2-dihetarylethene using regioselective acylation of thienopyrroles.

[formula: see text] The influence of catalysts, acid chlorides, and solvents in the acylation of methyl 2-methyl-4H-thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole-5-carboxylate was studied. Conditions for the regioselective acylation processes were found. Thienopyrrole-based photochrome was synthesized for the first time.