Synthesis, electrochemical properties and electropolymerization studies on 3-thienyl substituted tetrathiafulvalenes. Single-crystal X-ray structure of 4,4′,5,5′-tetrakis-(3-thienyl)-tetrathiafulvalene

The synthesis and solution electrochemical properties of two novel 3-thienyl substituted tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) donors 7 and 11 are described. The single-crystal X-ray structure of 7 is reported, which is characterized by the presence of short intermolecular SS contacts. Cyclic voltammetry of the derivatives indicates that two reversible redox waves, characteristic of TTF derivatives, are present. Attempts were made to electropolymerize the two derivatives at a platinum electrode in dichloromethane. Formation of a blue-coloured solid, characteristic of the thiophene radical cation species, was observed for one of the derivatives, 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.