Syntheses of new electron donors with hydroxymethyl groups and studies on their cation-radical salts

New electron donors 4,5-ethylenedithio-4',5'-(1-hydroxypropane-2,3-diyldith io)tetrathiafulvalene (1a), 4,5-bis(methylthio)-4',5'-(1-hydroxypropane-2,3 -diyldithio)tetrathiafulvalene (1b), 4,5-ethylenedithio-4',5'-(1,4-dihydrox ybutane-2,3-diyldithio)tetrathiafulvalene (1c) and 4,5-bis(methylthio)-4',5 '-(1,4-dihydroxybutane-2,3-diyldithio)tetrathiafulvalene (1d) with hydroxym ethyl groups were synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. Their re dox potentials were determined using cyclic voltammetry. Crystals of cation -radical salts based on these new electron donors, (1a)(2). ClO4, (1c)(2). Cl, (1c)(2). I, were obtained by standard electrochemical methods. The crys tal structure of (1c)(2). Cl was determined and studied. Electrical measure ments of the cation-radical salts indicated that they displayed semiconduct ing behaviors, however, with good conductivities at room temperature: 0.68 S cm(-1) for (1a)(2). ClO4 and 0.10 S cm(-1) for (1c)(2). Cl.