Synthesis and complexation of tetrathiafulvalene derivatives functionalised with [15]aneS5 thioether crowns†

Abstract

Two new tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)-based molecules functionalised with [15]aneS₅ groups have been prepared by phosphite mediated coupling reactions. The [15]aneS₅–thione precursor has been characterised by X-ray crystallography. Cyclic voltammetry, spectroelectrochemistry and EPR studies of one of these TTF compounds with and without guest copper(II) ions have revealed binding of Cu^II and temperature dependent intramolecular electron transfer to give Cu^I and TTF⁺.