Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivatives: key building-blocks for switchable processes

A tetrathiafulvalene-based electroactive covalent organic framework

Two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D COFs) provide a unique platform for the molecular design of electronic and optoelectronic materials. Here, the synthesis and characterization of an electroactive COF containing the well-known tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) unit is reported. The TTF-COF crystallizes into 2D sheets with an eclipsed AA stacking motif, and shows high thermal stability and permanent porosity. The presence of TTF units endows the TTF-COF with electron-donating ability, which is characterized by cyclic voltammetry. In addition, the open frameworks of TTF-COF are amenable to doping with electron acceptors (e.g., iodine), and the conductivity of TTF-COF bulk samples can be improved by doping. Our results open up a reliable route for the preparation of well-ordered conjugated TTF polymers, which hold great potential for applications in fields from molecular electronics to energy storage.

A compact tetrathiafulvalene-benzothiadiazole dyad and its highly symmetrical charge-transfer salt: ordered donor π-stacks closely bound to their acceptors

A compact and planar donor-acceptor molecule 1 comprising tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and benzothiadiazole (BTD) units has been synthesised and experimentally characterised by structural, optical, and electrochemical methods. Solution-processed and thermally evaporated thin films of 1 have also been explored as active materials in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). For these devices, hole field-effect mobilities of μFE = (1.3±0.5)×10(-3) and (2.7±0.4)×10(-3)  cm(2)  V s(-1) were determined for the solution-processed and thermally evaporated thin films, respectively. An intense intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) transition at around 495 nm dominates the optical absorption spectrum of the neutral dyad, which also shows a weak emission from its ICT state. The iodine-induced oxidation of 1 leads to a partially oxidised crystalline charge-transfer (CT) salt {(1)2I3}, and eventually also to a fully oxidised compound {1I3}⋅1/2I2. Single crystals of the former CT compound, exhibiting a highly symmetrical crystal structure, reveal a fairly good room temperature electrical conductivity of the order of 2 S cm(-1). The one-dimensional spin system bears compactly bonded BTD acceptors (spatial localisation of the LUMO) along its ridge.

New unsymmetrically benzene-fused bis (tetrathiafulvalene): synthesis, characterization, electrochemical properties and electrical conductivity of their materials

The synthesis of new unsymmetrically benzene-fused bis (tetrathiafulvalene) has been carried out by a cross-coupling reaction of the respective 4,5-dialkyl-1,3-dithiole-2-selenone 6-9 with 2-(4-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-1,3,5,7-tetrathia-s-indacene-6-one 5 prepared by olefination of 4-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-selenone 3 and 1,3,5,7-tetrathia-s-indacene-2,6-dione 4. The conversion of the nitro moiety 10a-d to amino 11a-d then dibenzylamine 12a-d groups respectively used reduction and alkylation methods. The electron donor ability of these new compounds has been measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. Charge transfer complexes with tetracyanoquino-dimethane (TCNQ) were prepared by chemical redox reactions. The complexes have been proven to give conducting materials.

Synthesis of pyrrolidine-fused 1,3-dithiolane oligomers by the cycloaddition of polycyclic dithiolethiones to maleimides and evaluation as mercury(II) indicators

The scandium triflate-catalyzed cycloaddition reaction of polycyclic 1,2-dithiolethiones to maleimides is described. The reaction constitutes an easy approach to linear as well as branched oligomeric cis-fused dihydro[1,3]dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione rings interconnected by 3,5-diylidenethiomorpholine-2,6-dithione or ylidene-6-thioxo[1,2]dithiolo[3,4-b][1,4]thiazin-3-one groups. The presence of highly colored, highly polarized push-pull α,β-unsaturated thione groups in their structures make these compounds sensitive to the presence of mercury(II) cation in organic or mixed organic/aqueous solvents.

A Self-Assembled Electro-Active M8L4 Cage Based on Tetrathiafulvalene Ligands

Two self-assembled redox-active cages are presented. They are obtained by coordination-driven self-assembly of a tetra-pyridile tetrathiafulvalene ligand with cis-M(dppf)(OTf)₂ (M = Pd or Pt; dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene; OTf = trifluoromethane-sulfonate) complexes. Both species are fully characterized and are constituted of 12 electro-active subunits that can be reversibly oxidized.

A quinoxaline-fused tetrathiafulvalene-based sensitizer for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

A new strategy for the development of a compactly fused tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)-based sensitizer is reported, leading to the best performance to date for TTF-sensitized solar cells.

Adsorption of a dihydro-TTF derivative on Au(111) via a thiolate complex bonding to gold adatoms

A dihydro-TTF derivative was adsorbed on Au(111) via four thiolate ligands, it is determined that relatively little charge transfer occurs between the molecule and the substrate.

A quinoxaline-fused tetrathiafulvalene derivative and its semiconducting charge-transfer salt: synthesis, crystal structures and physical properties

A quinoxaline-fused tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivative 1 has been synthesized to form a compact and planar π-conjugated donor–acceptor (D–π–A) ensemble, and its single crystal structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction.

Redox-controlled fluorescence modulation (electrofluorochromism) in triphenylamine derivatives

The study of the chemical and electrochemical fluorescence switching properties of a family of substituted triphenylamine derivatives is reported.

An unusual single-crystal-to-single-crystal [2 + 2] photocyclisation reaction of a TTF-arylnitrile derivative

Irradiation of single crystals of a benzonitrile substituted tetrathiafulvalene with polychromatic light results in a [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction.

Computational study on redox-switchable second-order nonlinear optical properties of ferrocene-tetrathiafulvalene hybrid

Redox-switchable second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) responses of a series of ferrocene-tetrathiafulvalene (Fc–TTF) hybrids have been studied based on density functional theory calculations.

A highly sensitive TTF-functionalised probe for the determination of physiological thiols and its application in tumor cells

A tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)-fused piazselenole as a novel redox-active and fluorescent probe for highly sensitive determination of physiological thiols is presented.

Tunable electrical conductivity in oriented thin films of tetrathiafulvalene-based covalent organic framework

Preorganization in a covalent organic framework leads to the generation of a more conductive mixed-valence state upon doping.

[5]Radialene-fused tetrathiafulvalenes exhibiting a simultaneous four- or eight-electron transfer

Novel bis- and tris-fused tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) analogs possessing [5]radialene with quintuple 1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene moieties (2-4) were successfully synthesized. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry revealed that they exhibited a simultaneous four- or eight-electron transfer process. It is suggested that four positive charges are distributed mainly over each of one or two DT[5]radialene units in 2(4+), 3(4+), and 4(8+).