Several potential molecular devices have been synthesized consisting of oligo(phenylene ethynylene) (OPE) backbones containing a terminal nitrile group alligator clip as a means of attachment to a metal surface. The synthesis of four new nitrile-containing OPEs is discussed, including an improved synthesis of an intermediate used in our prior production of OPEs containing acetate-protected thiol alligator clips. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.