Bis-calix[4]arenes bridged by an electroactive tetrathiafulvalene unit

Syntheses of the first bis-calixarenes systems bridged by a tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) framework 5a,b have been carried out in good yields through triethyl phosphite-mediated dechalcogenation-dimerizations of the corresponding 1,3-dithiole-2-(thi)ones 3 or 4. X-ray structures of the calix[41arene-TTF-calix[4]arene assembly 5b and of the calix[4]arene-thione intermediate 3b are analyzed and confirm the cone conformations adopted by the calix[4]arene parts, as it is also observed by H-1 NMR analysis of these systems. The solid-state organization in 5b leads to alternate layers of calixarene and TTF units. The cyclic voltammograms of 5a,b show as expected a two-step redox behavior but display a CV deformation for the second redox process.