Synthesis and electrochemical properties of a silyl-substituted tetrathiafulvalene derivative

A new tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivative 2,3;6,7-bis[(2,2-dimethyl-2-silapropylene)dithio]-1,4,5,8-tetrathiafulvalene and the related silyl-substituted 1,3-dithiole-2-(thi)one were synthesized. Their structures were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 29Si NMR, MS and IR spectra. Single crystal structure of the 1,3-dithiole-2-thione compound revealed the high degree of conjugation of the five-membered ring moiety in the DMIT compound. The electrochemical properties of the new TTF derivative were studied by cyclic voltammetry. The formation of charge-transfer complex between the new donor and acceptor DDQ was demonstrated.