Embodiments described herein provide a precursor for synthesizing a number of molecules for use in organic photovoltaics. The precursor is diiodo-furopyran (DFP), such as dibromo-DFP (DBDFP), to be used to synthesize a number of different molecules for use in organic photovoltaics. DFP possesses numerous reactive sites that can be used to simultaneously modify the backbone structure (which can be used to tune electronic and crystalline properties) and the side-chains (affecting the solubility and the solubility of any subsequent copolymers). Each of the molecules has either a biisocoumarin or biisoquinoline core structure and can be easily varied to yield a different functional backbone or different substituents. The molecules can be used in copolymers or small molecules for use in OPVs.