Seven linear sexiphenyls were synthesized by the Ullmann reaction of iodobiphenyl and diiodobiphenyl. Infrared studies indicated that the fine structure in the 780–810 cm− 1 region suggests the presence of consecutive m-phenylene units, and that the positions of the strong or medium bands in the 820–840 cm− 1 region indicate approximately the number of continuous p-phenylene units. The electronic spectra commonly displayed a prominent E- ...