Tetrathiafulvalenes: from heterocyclic chemistry to molecular devices

This account highlight recent developments in the field of supramolecular tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) chemistry. Progress in synthetic TTF chemistry has enabled the preparation of elaborate molecular systems and architectures. System based on host–guest interactions may act as, for example, sensors or molecular switches. Among these systems mechanically interlocked architectures such as catenanes and rotaxanes are now prime candidates for the construction of artificial molecular machines and the fabrication of molecular electronic devices.