New unsymmetrically benzene-fused bis (tetrathiafulvalene): synthesis, characterization, electrochemical properties and electrical conductivity of their materials.

The synthesis of new unsymmetrically benzene-fused bis (tetrathiafulvalene) has been carried out by a cross-coupling reaction of the respective 4,5-dialkyl-1,3-dithiole-2-selenone 6-9 with 2-(4-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-1,3,5,7-tetrathia-s-indacene-6-one 5 prepared by olefination of 4-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-selenone 3 and 1,3,5,7-tetrathia-s-indacene-2,6-dione 4. The conversion of the nitro moiety 10a-d to amino 11a-d then dibenzylamine 12a-d groups respectively used reduction and alkylation methods. The electron donor ability of these new compounds has been measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. Charge transfer complexes with tetracyanoquino-dimethane (TCNQ) were prepared by chemical redox reactions. The complexes have been proven to give conducting materials.

Introduction

The tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) molecule has attracted great interest since the early 1970’s, when scientists saw its high electrical conductivity in a chloride salt and its metallic behaviour in the charge transfer complex, tetrathiafulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ). Recently, new applications of TTF and its derivatives in supramolecular [1-3] and materials chemistry [4-6] have been developed by TTF block building more flexible than was previously appreciated.

TTF derivatives now play a significant role as redox sites in different areas of supramolecular chemistry. Some applications call for their use as cations sensors [7-9] as a π-electron donor for non-linear optical systems [10-12], heterocycles [13-15], integrated into polymeric [16-18] and dendritic systems [19] and used as a component for molecular electronic devices [20-22].

Among the wide variety of chemical modifications performed on the TTF skeleton, the synthesis of highly extended and sulfur rich systems has recently received particular attention [23-25]. Fused aromatic rings (benzene, naphthalene, pyrazine, or quinoxaline rings) [26-28] onto the TTF skeleton are known to be an attractive electron-donor molecule which can provide a highly conductive charge transfer complex owing to its highly extended p-conjugate part.

As a development of our previous work [29-34] and taking into account the above, we decided to design and realize the synthesis of novel unsymmetrically benzene-fused bis (tetrathiafulvalene) containing nitrophenyl, aminophenyl or dibenzylaminophenyl units.

We report in this work the synthesis the electrochemical properties of such compounds and finally we also prepared their charge transfer complexes and measured their electrical conductivity.

Results and Discussion

As shown in Scheme 1, commercially available 2-(p-nitrophenyl)-2-oxoethyl 1-piperidinecarbodithioate 1 was cyclized by the concentrated sulfuric acid at 0 °C. The resulting hydrogenosulfate was converted to 4-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidenepiperidinium hexafluorophosphate 2 immediately by addition of hexafluorophosphoric acid. After recrystallization, the desired product was obtained in 65% yield. The treatment of compound 2 with sodium hydrogen selenide, prepared in situ from selenium and sodium borohydride in ethanol at low temperature, followed by an aqueous work up, afford after filtration and purification over silica gel chromatography the desired product 4-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiole-2- selenone 3 in 93% yield.

Scheme 1.

Synthetic route for the preparation of 4-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-selenone 3.

Scheme 2 exhibits the synthetic routes for the preparation of compounds 10a–d. The condensation via cross coupling method [35] of The 4-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-selenone 3 with 1,3,5,7-tetrathia-s-indacene- 2,6-dione 4 [28], in toluene at reflux in the presence of triethyl phosphite under nitrogen, leads to the formation of the desired 2-(4-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-1,3,5,7-tetrathia-s-indacene- 6-one 5 in moderate yield (45%) after column chromatography. The coupling reaction between various selenones 6–9 [36-39] and 1,3,5,7-tetrathia-s-indacene-6-one 5 with a large excess of triethyl phosphite while refluxing in toluene successfully afforded the p-nitrophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalenes 10a–d in 36%, 42%, 44% and 32% yields, respectively.

Scheme 2.

Route for the preparation of p-nitrophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalenes 10a–d.

In previous work [29] we have described the access to alkylated aminophenyl bis-TTFs from nitrophenyl bis-TTFs. In Scheme 3, the nitro group of p-nitrophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalenes 10a–d was reduced at reflux in the presence of tin and hydrochloric acid into an amino group in ethanol. The p-aminophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalene 11a–d derivatives were obtained after purification by column chromatography in 74%, 77%, 79% and 71% yields, respectively. Then, their alkylation was effected by treatment with K2CO3 (2 equiv.) and with 2 equivalents of benzyl bromide in DMF at reflux, the dibenzylaminophenyl benzene-fused bis TTFs 12a–d were obtained in 87%, 95%, 93% and 85% yields, respectively, after purification by column chromatography.

Scheme 3.

Synthetic route for the preparation of dibenzylaminophenyl benzene-fused bis

In the 1H NMR spectra the series of p-nitrophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalene 10a–d exhibited two doublets around 7.42–7.44 and 8.08–8.10 ppm for the nitrophenyl protons. The series of p-aminophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalene 11a–d revealed the presence of amino group protons signals as broad band around 3.48–3.75 ppm and the aminophenyl protons showed two doublets around 6.40–6.42 and 6.98–7.00 ppm. Thus, the series of p-dibenzylaminophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalene 12a–d showed the absence of the amino group proton signals and the presence of benzylamine protons as singlet around 4.65–4.67 ppm and a multiplet around 7.13–7.28 ppm.

Mass spectrometry analysis validated the structure of the examined derivatives. In all compounds, fragmentation peaks confirmed the structure of the analyzed molecules.

Electrochemical Studies

The redox properties of these new functional unsymmetrically benzene-fused bis TTFs were studied in solution by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and by square wave voltammetry (SQW). Measurements were performed under nitrogen at room temperature using a glassy carbon working electrode, a Pt counter electrode and a standard calomel electrode (SCE) as reference, with tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (n-Bu4NClO4, 0.1 M) in dry acetonitrile, as supporting electrolyte. A scan rate of 100 mV·s−1 was used. The CV measurements showed reversible redox waves for all the compounds studied and the corresponding oxidation potentials Eox were determined by the SQW technique. The results are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1.

Potential of unsymmetrically benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalenes 10a–12d.

Donor	E1ox (mV)	E2ox (mV)	E3ox (mV)	ΔEox (mV)
10a	461	530	873	412
10b	459	528	870	411
10c	456	524	866	410
10d	457	525	867	410
11a	438	507	845	407
11b	436	504	842	406
11c	433	499	836	403
11d	434	501	838	404
12a	446	525	864	418
12b	445	522	861	416
12c	441	522	854	413
12d	443	523	858	415

In Figure 1, we can clearly see three oxidation peaks with respectively a 1, 1 and 2 electron process. The real distinction of the two first oxidation waves is clearly due to the difference between the effect donor and the effect attractor of the substituents carried by the two units TTF, which also visible by cyclic voltammetry.

Figure 1.

Voltammogram of benzene-fused bis TTF 10a, 11a and 12a.

The oxidation potentials of compounds 12a–d are slightly higher than that of compounds 11a–d, on the other hand, the compounds 10a–d are slightly higher than that of compounds 12a–d. This should be attributable to the electron-donating capabilities of these new compounds by the presence of the p-nitrophenyl, p-aminophenyl and p-dibenzylaminophenyl groups linked to the donor core.

In the same series, the presence of alkyl groups on the TTF skeleton enriches the electron density and facilitates the oxidation of the donor, which it is noted for compound 10d and 10b compared with 10a, while the presence of the aromatic group extends the conjugated system and improves the electron density; it was clearly visible for compound 10c which showed the lowest oxidation potential in this series. Similar results were observed for the other series of p-aminophenyl and p-dibenzylaminophenyl groups.

Theoretical Calculation

The energy of HOMO of different products 10a to 12d was computed using DFT calculation in the Table 2. The levels of HOMO of compound 12b (−4.507 eV) and 12d (−4.516 eV) show that these compounds are the better donating molecule for the formation of TTF-TCNQ complexes.

Table 2.

Energy level (eV) of the molecular orbitals for products 10a–12d.

Compound	LUMO + 2	LUMO + 1	LUMO	HOMO	HOMO − 1	HOMO − 2	HOMO − 3
10a	−1.184	−1.460	−2.684	−4.901	−5.249	−6.459	−6.580
10b	−1.121	−1.414	−2.664	−4.807	−5.189	−6.330	−6.509
10c	−1.218	−1.471	−2.688	−4.977	−5.304	−6.460	−6.558
10d	−1.114	−1.421	−2.670	−4.782	−5.192	−6.289	−6.532
11a	−0.758	−0.912	−1.137	−4.597	−4.889	−5.636	−6.300
11b	−0.726	−0.868	−1.073	−4.542	−4.805	−5.602	−6.187
11c	−0.774	−0.940	−1.166	−4.631	−4.989	−5.651	−6.308
11d	−0.732	−0.863	−1.078	−4.538	−4.786	−5.604	−6.151
12a	−0.747	−0.900	−1.127	−4.564	−4.865	−5.416	−6.238
12b	−0.709	−0.859	−1.064	−4.507	−4.782	−5.385	−6.124
12c	−0.764	−0.927	−1.157	−4.596	−4.963	−5.432	−6.253
12d	−0.723	−0.851	−1.064	−4.516	−4.763	−5.389	−6.088

Figure 2 shows that the nature of the alkyl groups has little influence on the level of the HOMO and in consequence on the potential of oxidation, which can be also found in Table 1. Three groups of compound can be obtained: 10a–d, 11a–d and 12a–d.

Figure 2.

Levels of HOMO and LOMO of compounds 10a–d.

In Figure 3 the levels of the HOMO of 10d and 12d shows that compound 12d is more oxidable than 10d, however in the case of 11d the amine group can take part in oxidation which makes difficult a correlation between the level of the HOMO of 11d and its facility of oxidation.

Figure 3.

Levels of HOMO and LOMO of compounds 10d, 11d and 12d.

Preparation and Electrical Conductivity of Charge Transfer Complexes

Charge transfer complexes (CTC) are a special case where metallic-like conductivites are obtained from essentially non-metallic, organic molecules. A CTC is formed by the interaction of an electron donor (D) and an electron acceptor (A). Electron donors are compounds with low ionization potential, while electron acceptors are compounds with high electron affinity. The donor and acceptor are bound together by an electrostatic attraction, not a chemical bond. Partial electron transfer between the donor molecule and the acceptor molecule generates this electrostatic attraction.

In our study, all compounds 10a–12d formed charge transfer complexes with TCNQ (tetracyano-p-quinodimethane) used as an electron acceptor (A) [40-42]. The solids were isolated after cooling the hot acetonitrile solution obtained by mixing equimolar amounts of the donor (D) and of TCNQ (A). Most of the materials were obtained as powders with various colors.

The room temperature conductivity of these solids was measured by using a two probe technique on compressed pellets. The results obtained are summarized in Table 3.

Table 3.

Melting points and electrical conductivity of charge transfer complexes.

Complex	M.P (°C)	σRT (S cm−1)
10a-TCNQ	276	9.2 × 10−2
10b-TCNQ	281	4.8 × 10−1
10c-TCNQ	289	5.3 × 10−1
10d-TCNQ	294	8.7 × 10−1
11a-TCNQ	227	2.5 × 10−2
11b-TCNQ	231	1.7 × 10−2
11c-TCNQ	237	8.3 × 10−1
11d-TCNQ	240	7.6 × 10−1
12a-TCNQ	258	8.7 × 10−6
12b-TCNQ	263	5.3 × 10−5
12c-TCNQ	267	4.2 × 10−4
12d-TCNQ	272	1.8 × 10−4

For this family of materials, only CTC from 10a-TCNQ to 11d-TCNQ resulting from p-nitrophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalenes and p-aminophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalenes, can be classified in the area of conductors. In fact, they have a conductivity measured on powder compressed pellets of 4.8 × 10−1 to 9.2 × 10−2 S cm−1, which allows conductivity ten times greater on single crystal.

Other, CTC resulting from p-dibenzylaminophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalenes from 12a-TCNQ to 12d-TCNQ can be classified in the category of semi-conductors materials with conductivities from 10−4 to 10−6 S cm−1. This can be due to a structural disorder and/or a full charge transfer of an electron for each molecule.

Experimental Section

General

NMR spectra were recorded on a WP 400-NMR instrument (Bruker BioSpin GmbH, Silberstreifen 4, 76287 Rheinstetten, Germany). FAB mass spectra were recorded on a JOEL JMS-DX 300 spectrometer (JEOL Europe, Planet II, Gebouw B., Leuvensestreenweg 542, B-1930 Zaventem, Belgium). Uncorrected melting points were measured on a 510 Buchi apparatus (BÜCHI Labortechnik AG, Meierseggstrasse 40, 9230 Flawil, Schweiz). Cyclic voltammetry measurements were carried out on a PAR-273 potentiostat/galvanostat (Alltest Instruments, Inc. 500 Central Ave. Farmingdale, NJ, USA). All computations were performed with the Gaussian 09 program package (Gaussian, Inc. 340 Quinnipiac St, Bldg 40, Wallingford, CT, USA) [43] using the 6-31G(d,p) basis set [44]. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out using a B3LYP method (public field method) [45-47]. All solvents were dried by standard methods and all commercial reagents used without purification. All reactions were performed under an inert atmosphere of nitrogen.

Synthesis and Characterization of 4-(p-Nitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidenepiperidinium Hexafluorophosphate 2

2-(p-Nitrophenyl)-2-oxoethyl 1-piperidinecarbodithioate 1 (19.44 g, 0.06 mol) was added drop wise to a stirred solution of concentrated sulfuric acid (45 mL) at 0 °C. After the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature, cold water (150 mL) was added and the mixture was filtered. The residual solution was cooled to 0 °C and hexafluorophosphoric acid (6.5 mL, 0.06 mol) was added drop wise over 2 min, yellow suspension was observed in the solution, and the reaction was allowed to reach room temperature. The reaction was extracted with CH2CI2 (3 × 100 mL). The organic extracts were combined and washed with water (3 × 100 mL) and dried (MgSO4). The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude product was recrystallised from ethanol to give 2 (65%) as beige solid. M.p.: 173 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δ, ppm): 1.78 (m, 6H, Py-H), 3.28 (m, 4H, Py-H), 7.45 (s, 1H, CH=C–S), 7.73 (d, J = 8.70 Hz, 2H, nitrophenyl-H), 8.17 (d, J = 8.70 Hz, 2H, nitrophenyl-H). MS (NOBA, FAB > 0): 453 [M + H]+. Anal. calcd. for C14H15S2N2O2PF6: C, 37.17; H, 3.34; S, 14.17; found: C, 36.87; H, 3.04; S, 14.47.

Synthesis and Characterization of 4-(p-Nitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-selenone 3

Black powdered selenium (2.8 g, 35.37 mmol) was added in one portion to a solution of sodium borohydride (7.7 g, 70.74 mmol) in ethanol (40 mL) with magnetic stirring at 0 °C under argon. A vigorous reaction with considerable foaming immediately occurred and the selenium was consumed in less than 30 min. The virtually colorless solution of NaHSe, which resulted was ready for use without further treatment. After cooling of the solution acetic acid (2 mL, 35.37 mmol) and 4-p-nitrophenyl -1,3-dithiole-2-ylidenepiperidinium hexafluorophosphate (15.98 g, 35.37 mmol) were added and the reaction mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for ca. 2 h. The ethanol was diluted to 100% with deoxygenated ice water and the red solid was filtered, washed with water, dried under vacuum and chromatographed (silica gel, CHCl3). Recrystallization of the product from heptane gave 3 (9.94 g, 93% yield) as red orange crystals. M.p.: 146 °C. TLC:Rf = 0.90 (CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δ, ppm): 6.94 (s, 1H, C=CH), 7.57 (d, J = 8.65 Hz, 2H, nitrophenyl-H), 8.17 (d, J = 8.65 Hz, 2H, nitrophenyl-H); MS (NOBA, FAB > 0): 303 [M + H]+. Anal. calcd. for C9H5S2SeNO2: C, 35.76; H, 1.66; S, 21.21; found: C, 35.46; H, 1.46; S, 21.51.

Synthesis and Characterization of 2-(4-(p-Nitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-1,3,5,7-tetrathia-s-indacene- 6-one 5

Under a nitrogen atmosphere, 25 mL of freshly distilled triethyl phosphite was added to the mixture of 4-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-selenone 3 (1 g, 3.31 mmol) and 1,3,5,7-tetrathia-s-indacene-2,6- dione 4 (1 equiv.). The resulting mixture was heated with an oil bath up to 110 °C and stirred for a further 4 h. The solvent was then removed under reduced pressure. Compound 5 was obtained by column chromatography of the residue (silica gel, eluting with dichloromethane and petroleum ether 2:1) in 45% yield. Light yellow powder, M.p.: 132 °C. TLC: Rf = 0.83 (CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δ, ppm): 6.83 (s, 1H, C=CH), 7.11 (s, 2H, benzene-fused-H), 7.45 (d, J = 8.87 Hz, 2H, nitrophenyl-H), 8.10 (d, J = 8.87 Hz, 2H, nitrophenyl-H); MS (NOBA, FAB > 0): 466 [M + H]+. Anal. calcd. for C17H7S6NO3: C, 43.85; H, 1.51; S, 41.31; found: C, 44.00; H, 1.71; S, 41.01.

Synthesis and Characterization of p-Nitrophenyl Benzene-Fused Bis Tetrathiafulvalene 10a–d

Compounds 10a–d were synthesized by employing the same experimental process as 5 from 1 equiv. of 5 and 1 equiv. of various selenones 6–9.

p-Nitrophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalene 10a: Dark blue powder. Yield: 36%. M.p.: 168 °C. TLC: Rf = 0.70 (CH2Cl2/petroleum ether, 2:1). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δ, ppm): 6.37 (s, 2H, CH=CH), 6.84 (s, 1H, C=CH), 6.95 (s, 2H, benzene-fused-H), 7.44 (d, J = 8.88 Hz, 2H, nitrophenyl-H), 8.10 (d, J = 8.88 Hz, 2H, nitrophenyl-H). MS (NOBA, FAB > 0): 552 [M + H]+. Anal. calcd. for C20H9S8NO2: C, 43.53; H, 1.64; S, 46.48; found: C, 43.73; H, 1.74; S, 46.18.

p-Nitrophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalene 10b: Midnight blue powder. Yield: 42%. M.p.: 175 °C. TLC: Rf = 0.65 (CH2Cl2/petroleum ether, 2:1). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δ, ppm): 1.95 (s, 6H, CH3), 6.82 (s, 1H, C=CH), 6.91 (s, 2H, benzene-fused-H), 7.42 (d, J = 8.86 Hz, 2H, nitrophenyl-H), 8.08 (d, J = 8.86 Hz, 2H, nitrophenyl-H). MS (NOBA, FAB > 0): 580 [M + H]+. Anal. calcd. for C22H13S8NO2: C, 45.56; H, 2.25; S, 44.23; found: C, 45.86; H, 2.55; S, 43.93.

p-Nitrophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalene 10c: Indigo powder. Yield: 44%. M.p.: 184 °C. TLC: Rf = 0.54 (CH2Cl2/petroleum ether, 2:1). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δ, ppm): 6.83 (s, 1H, C=CH), 6.93 (s, 2H, benzene-fused-H), 7.00–7.30 (m, 4H, benzene-H), 7.43 (d, J = 9.00 Hz, 2H, nitrophenyl-H), 8.10 (d, J = 9.00 Hz, 2H, nitrophenyl-H). MS (NOBA, FAB > 0): 602 [M + H]+. Anal. calcd. for C24H11S8NO2: C, 47.89; H, 1.84; S, 42.62; found: C, 48.09; H, 2.04; S, 42.52.

p-Nitrophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalene 10d: Blue violet powder. Yield: 32%. M.p.: 188 °C. TLC: Rf = 0.58 (CH2Cl2/petroleum ether, 2:1). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δ, ppm): 2.45 (q, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.56 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 4H, 2CH2), 6.82 (s, 1H, C=CH), 6.91 (s, 2H, benzene-fused-H), 7.42 (d, J = 8.87 Hz, 2H, nitrophenyl-H), 8.08 (d, J = 8.87 Hz, 2H, nitrophenyl-H). MS (NOBA, FAB > 0): 592 [M + H]+. Anal. calcd. for C23H13S8NO2: C, 46.67; H, 2.21; S, 43.34; found: C, 46.77; H, 2.31; S, 43.19.

Synthesis and Characterization of p-Aminophenyl Benzene-Fused Bis Tetrathiafulvalene 11a–d

A stirred mixture of 4-p-nitrophenyl benzene-fused bis TTFs derivatives 10a–d (4 mmol), tin (0.94 g, 8 mmol), and aqueous solution of HCl (35%) to (1.8 mL, 20 mmol) in ethanol (30 mL) was refluxed for 4 h under nitrogen. During this time the initial black solution turned light yellow. The solution was then concentrated in vacuo and treated with an aqueous solution (100 mL) of sodium hydroxide (0.1 M) and extracted with ether. The organic phase was washed with water, dried (MgSO4), and concentrated in vacuo. The product was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel (CH2Cl2), affording the expected compounds 11a–d as powder.

p-Aminophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalene 11a: Dark orange powder. Yield: 74%. M.p.: 127 °C. TLC: Rf = 0.72 (CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δ, ppm): 3.50–3.75 (br, 2H, NH2), 6.37 (s, 2H, CH=CH), 6.42 (d, J = 8.48 Hz, 2H, aminophenyl-H), 6.60 (s, 1H, C=CH), 6.95 (s, 2H, benzene-fused-H), 7.00 (d, J = 8.48 Hz, 2H, aminophenyl-H); MS (NOBA, FAB > 0): 522 [M + H]+. Anal. calcd. for C20H11S8N: C, 46.03; H, 2.12; S, 49.15; found: C, 46.22; H, 2.27; S, 48.83.

p-Aminophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalene 11b: Orange powder. Yield: 77%. M.p.: 133 °C. TLC: Rf = 0.67 (CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δ, ppm): 1.95 (s, 6H, CH3), 3.48–3.73 (br, 2H, NH2), 6.40 (d, J = 8.26 Hz, 2H, aminophenyl-H), 6.58 (s, 1H, C=CH), 6.91 (s, 2H, benzene-fused-H), 6.98 (d, J = 8.26 Hz, 2H, aminophenyl-H). MS (NOBA, FAB > 0): 550 [M + H]+. Anal. calcd. for C22H15S8N: C, 48.05; H, 2.74; S, 46.64; found: C, 48.33; H, 2.97; S, 46.36.

p-Aminophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalene 11c: Coral powder. Yield: 79%. M.p.: 142 °C. TLC: Rf = 0.56 (CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δ, ppm): 3.59–3.89 (br, 2H, NH2), 6.59 (s, 1H, C=CH), 6.41 (d, J = 8.60 Hz, 2H, aminophenyl-H), 6.93 (s, 2H, benzene-fused-H), 6.99 (d, J = 8.60 Hz, 2H, aminophenyl-H), 7.00–7.30 (m, 4H, benzene-H). MS (NOBA, FAB > 0): 572 [M + H]+. Anal. calcd. for C24H13S8N: C, 50.40; H, 2.29; S, 44.85; found: C, 50.70; H, 2.39; S, 45.20.

p-Aminophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalene 11d: Orange red powder. Yield: 71%. M.p.: 146 °C. TLC: Rf = 0.60 (CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δ, ppm): 2.45 (q, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.56 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 4H, 2CH2), 3.48–3.73 (br, 2H, NH2), 6.40 (d, J = 8.47 Hz, 2H, aminophenyl-H), 6.58 (s, 1H, C=CH), 6.91 (s, 2H, benzene-fused-H), 6.98 (d, J = 8.47 Hz, 2H, aminophenyl-H). MS (NOBA, FAB > 0): 562 [M + H]+. Anal. calcd. for C23H15S8N: C, 49.16; H, 2.69; S, 45.65; found: C, 49.28; H, 2.84; S, 45.46.

Synthesis and Characterization of p-Dibenzylaminophenyl Benzene-Fused Bis Tetrathiafulvalene 12a–d

K2CO3 (0.83 g, 6 mmol) was added to a stirred solution of 4-aminophenyl benzene-fused bis TTF 11a–d (3 mmol) and benzyl bromide (0.71 mL, 6 mmol) in dimethylformamide (30 mL) under nitrogen. The resulting mixture was heated over an oil bath up to 120 °C and stirred for a further 2 h. The solvent was then removed under reduced pressure. Compound 12a–d was obtained by column chromatography of the residue (silica gel, eluting with dichloromethane).

p-Dibenzylaminophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalene 12a: Light yellow powder. Yield: 87%. M.p.: 195 °C. TLC: Rf = 0.81 (CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δ, ppm): 4.67 (s, 4H, benzylamine-CH2), 6.37 (s, 2H, CH=CH), 6.54 (s, 1H, C=CH), 6.57 (d, J = 8.66 Hz, 2H, aminophenyl-H), 6.95 (s, 2H, benzene-fused-H), 7.15–7.25 (m, 10H, benzylamine-H), 7.35 (d, J = 8.66 Hz, 2H, aminophenyl-H). MS (NOBA, FAB > 0): 702 [M + H]+. Anal. Calcd for C36H21S8N: C, 58.16; H, 3.30; S, 36.53; found: C, 58.03; H, 3.18; S, 36.68.

p-Dibenzylaminophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalene 12b: Wheat powder. Yield: 95%. M.p.: 208 °C. TLC: Rf = 0.76 (CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δ, ppm): 1.95 (s, 6H, 2CH3), 4.65 (s, 4H, benzylamine-CH2), 6.52 (s, 1H, C=CH), 6.55 (d, J = 8.64 Hz, 2H, aminophenyl-H), 6.91 (s, 2H, benzene-fused-H), 7.13–7.27 (m, 10H, benzylamine-H), 7.31 (d, J = 8.64 Hz, 2H, aminophenyl-H). MS (NOBA, FAB > 0): 730 [M + H]+. Anal. calcd. for C36H27S8N: C, 59.22; H, 3.72; S, 35.13; found: C, 59.07; H, 3.58; S, 35.32.

p-Dibenzylaminophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalene 12c: Yellow powder. Yield: 93%. M.p.: 213 °C. TLC: Rf = 0.66 (CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δ, ppm): 4.66 (s, 4H, benzylamine-CH2), 6.53 (s, 1H, C=CH), 6.56 (d, J = 8.68 Hz, 2H, aminophenyl-H), 6.93 (s, 2H, benzene-fused-H), 7.14–7.25 (m, 14H, benzylamine-H, benzene-H), 7.35 (d, J = 8.68 Hz, 2H, aminophenyl-H). MS (NOBA, FAB > 0): 752 [M + H]+. Anal. calcd. for C38H25S8N: C, 60.68; H, 3.35; S, 34.10; found: C, 60.56; H, 3.25; S, 34.29.

p-Dibenzylaminophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalene 12d: Gold powder. Yield: 85%. M.p.: 218 °C. TLC: Rf = 0.70 (CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δ, ppm): 2.45 (q, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.56 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 4H, 2CH2), 4.65 (s, 4H, benzylamine-CH2), 6.52 (s, 1H, C=CH), 6.55 (d, J = 8.65 Hz, 2H, aminophenyl-H), 6.91 (s, 2H, benzene-fused-H), 7.13–7.28 (m, 10H, benzylamine-H), 7.31 (d, J = 8.65 Hz, 2H, aminophenyl-H). MS (NOBA, FAB > 0): 742 [M + H]+. Anal. calcd. for C37H27S8N: C, 59.88; H, 3.66; S, 34.56; found: C, 60.13; H, 3.86; S, 34.26.

Conclusions

We herein describe the synthesis and the characterization of novel unsymmetrically benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalenes bearing alkyl chains at one end of the π-electron rich unit and different functional groups p-nitrophenyl, p-aminophenyl or p-dibenzylaminophenyl at the other extreme. Different routes and reaction conditions were explored to form these compounds.

The synthetic method requires the preparation of three new precursors the 4-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3- dithiole-2-ylidenepiperidinium hexafluorophosphate 2, 4-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-selenone 3 and the 2-(4-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-1,3,5,7-tetrathia-s-indacene-6-one 5.

The electrochemical behavior of all donors was determined by cyclic voltammetry. Charge transfer complexes of the donors with TCNQ were prepared and the electrical conductivity of these materials was measured. Series of p-nitrophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalenes and p-aminophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalenes derivatives are conductors while series of p-dibenzylaminophenyl benzene-fused bis tetrathiafulvalenes are semi-conductors.