SYNTHESIS, ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND ELECTROPOLYMERIZATION STUDIES ON 3-THIENYL SUBSTITUTED TETRATHIAFULVALENES - SINGLE-CRYSTAL X-RAYSTRUCTURE OF 4,4',5,5'-TETRAKIS-(3-THIENYL)-TETRATHIAFULVALENE

The synthesis and solution electrochemical properties of two novel 3-t hienyl substituted tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) donors 7 and 11 are descri bed. The single-crystal X-ray structure of 7 is reported, which is cha racterized by the presence of short intermolecular S-S contacts. Cycli c voltammetry of the derivatives indicates that two reversible redox w aves, characteristic of TTF derivatives, are present. Attempts were ma de to electropolymerize the two derivatives at a platinum electrode in dichloromethane. Formation of a blue-coloured solid, characteristic o f the thiophene radical cation species, was observed for one of the de rivatives, but it was not possible to isolate a polymer on the working electrode. Preliminary electropolymerization studies on the TTF 'half unit' 6 are also reported. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A, All rights reserved.