Probing the conformational changes upon oxidation in cross-conjugated architectures featuring vinylogous TTF units

We report the synthesis and electropolymerisation of 1,3,5-tris(1,3-dithiole-2-ylidenephenylene)benzene 4. The resulting polymer features extended tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) units and can be considered as a cross-conjugated, cross-linked structure. Upon p-doping, electrochemical and UV–vis spectroelectrochemical experiments indicate that the polymer undergoes a unique conformational change within the dendralene unit from one definitive orthogonal arrangement to another.