Synthesis, Reactions, and Selected Physico-Chemical Properties of 1,3- and 1,2-Tetrachalcogenafulvalenes

A Novel Derivative of Hexathiocane having the 4,5-Dimethylthio-1,3-Dithiol-2-Ylidene Moiety

An unexpected reaction forming 4,8-bis(4,5-dimethylthio-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-1,2,3,5,6,7-hexathiocane is described.

[2.2]Paracyclophane derivatives containing tetrathiafulvalene moieties

The synthesis of [2.2]paracyclophane derivatives containing tetrathiafulvalene units has been accomplished by the coupling reaction of 4-([2.2]paracyclophan-4-yl)-1,3-dithiol-2-thione in the presence of trimethylphosphite. The 1,3-dithiol-2-thione derivative was in turn synthesized by the regioselective bromination of 4-acetyl[2.2]paracyclophane, then through the corresponding dithiocarbamates and 1,3-dithiolium salts.

S-position isomers of BEDT-TTF and EDT-TTF: synthesis and influence of outer sulfur atoms on the electrochemical properties and crystallographic network of related organic metals

The synthesis and characterization of new modified tetrathiafulvalenes (TTF), the S-position isomers of BEDT-TTF and EDT-TTF, are described. The synthetic strategy presented in this work is based on an efficient and unprecedented two-step sequence for the conversion of a vicinal bis(hydroxymethyl) functionality into a disulfide ring. Different routes are discussed in terms of efficiency for the synthesis of the symmetric S-position isomer of BEDT-TTF and that of EDT-TTF. Their electrochemical properties are combined with data obtained from UV/Vis spectroscopy and orbital calculations, and the electronic influence of peripheral sulfur atoms on the neutral and oxidized species is discussed. The introduction of these outer sulfur atoms at the periphery of the TTF core gives rise to specific intermolecular S...S interactions in the corresponding organic materials. Crystallographic studies of radical cation salts synthesized upon electrocrystallization clearly showed that the network obtained is dictated by the outer sulfur atoms, which are responsible for a characteristic and unprecedented "windmill" array.

Two Successive Single Crystal Phase Transitions Involving the Coordination Sphere of Antimony in PhSb(dmit), the First Organo-Antimony(III) Dithiolene Complex

PhSb(dmit) (dmit(2)(-), 4,5-dithiolato-1,3-dithiole-2-thione), the first neutral organo-antimony dithiolene complex, has been synthesized by addition of PhSbCl(2) on a suspension of Na(2)(dmit). The complex was characterized by spectroscopic ((1)H and (13)C NMR and IR) methods and elemental analysis. Its crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction at room temperature in the monoclinic P2(1)/c space group, with a = 12.580(3), b = 8.9756(18), c = 15.905(3) A, beta = 109.06(3) degrees, V = 1697.5(6) A(3), Z = 4. A coordinating THF molecule was found in the structure and the coordination geometry around the antimony atom is of distorted pseudopentagonal bipyramid type, if taking into account the Sb.O and secondary Sb.S interactions, as well as the stereochemically active 5s(2) lone pair. The intermolecular Sb.S and S.S contacts, shorter than the sum of van der Waals radii of corresponding atoms, lead to the formation of a three-dimensional polymeric network in the solid state. A second X-ray diffraction experiment, performed at 85 K, revealed a very similar monoclinic unit cell with the noncentrosymmetrical space group P2(1) with a = 12.613(3), b = 8.9876(18), c = 15.109(3) A, beta = 107.01(3) degrees, V = 1637.8(6), Z = 4. The structural differences with the first one are basically due to the rotation of the THF ligand in the coordination sphere of the antimony center, leading to the loss of every inversion center found at room temperature. A temperature variable X-ray diffraction study on a PhSb(dmit) single-crystal allowed the detection, with a remarkable accuracy, of two successive first-order phase transitions, the first occurring at T = 162.5 K, while the second was observed at T = 182.5 K. Subsequently, a third set of X-ray data was collected at 180 K and the resulting structure (monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 16.736(3), b = 8.9653(18), c = 33.132(7) A, beta = 91.98(3) degrees, V = 4968.2(17), Z = 12) derives from the two others by a common b axis, a 3-fold cell volume increase, and the presence of only one-third of the inversion centers present at room temperature. A DSC analysis, showing two endothermic peaks at the expected temperatures, confirms the occurrence of the two structural phase transitions, also in agreement with preliminary Raman data.

New Concepts in Tetrathiafulvalene Chemistry

Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and its derivatives were originally prepared as strong electron-donor molecules for the development of electrically conducting materials. This Review emphasizes how TTF and its derivatives offer new and in some cases little-exploited possibilities at the molecular to the supramolecular levels, as well as in macromolecular aspects. TTF is a well-established molecule whose interest goes beyond the field of materials chemistry to be considered an important building block in supramolecular chemistry, crystal engineering, and in systems able to operate as machines. At the molecular level, TTF is a readily available molecule which displays a strong electron-donor ability. However, its use as a catalyst for radical-polar crossover reactions, thus mimicking samarium iodide chemistry, has only recently been addressed. Important goals have been achieved in the use of TTF at the macromolecular level where TTF-containing oligomers, polymers, and dendrimers have allowed the preparation of new materials that integrate the unique properties of TTF with the processability and stability that macromolecules display. The TTF molecule has also been successfully used in the construction of redox-active supramolecular systems. Thus, chemical sensors and redox-switchable ligands have been prepared from TTF while molecular shuttles and molecular switches have been prepared from TTF-containing rotaxanes and catenanes. A large synthetic effort has been devoted to the preparation of the so-called organic ferromagnets, many of which are derived from TTF. The main task in these systems is the introduction of ferromagnetic coupling between the conduction electrons and localized electrons. TTF has also played a prominent role in molecular electronics where TTF-containing D-sigma-A molecules have allowed the preparation of the first confirmed unimolecular rectifier. Recently, it has been confirmed that TTF can display efficient nonlinear optic (NLO) responses in the second and third harmonic generation as well as a good thermal stability. These findings can be combined with the redox ability of TTF as an external stimuli to provide a promising strategy for the molecular engineering of switchable NLO materials. Fullerenes endowed with TTF exhibit outstanding photophysical properties leading to charge-separated (CS) states that show remarkable lifetimes.

Stable Macrocyclic and Tethered Donor-Acceptor Systems. Intramolecular Bipyridinium and Tetrathiafulvalene Assemblies

A series of compounds has been prepared in which a tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)-derived donor is covalently tethered or bridged to one or more bipyridinium (viologen) acceptors. The relative degree of charge transfer observed in this series is discussed as a function of structure. The greatest CT effect is seen in the cyclophanes 9a-c and 13.