A series of new unsymmetrical benzotrichalcogenophenes (BTCs) were synthesized by the Pd–N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed intramolecular C3-arylation of furan, thiophene, selenophene and tellurophene units.
An ethynylene-linked bis(tellurophene) acts as an anion receptor through bidentate chalcogen bonding interactions.