Synthesis and properties of 4′,5′-bis(methylthio)-4,5-bis(2-pyridylethynyl)tetrathiafulvalene and its copper complexes

Synthesis of redox-active bis-pyridine ligand, 4′,5′-bis(methylthio)-4,5-bis(2-pyridylethynyl)tetrathiafulvalene (1) has been carried out in moderate yield starting from the corresponding diiodide. Bis(pyridylethynyl)–TTF 1 forms 1:1 complexes with Cu(I) and Cu(II) salts. Occurrence of the charge transfer from the TTF moiety to the copper atom was found to depend on the environment of copper atom.