Improved Synthesis of Bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF): ?-Donor for Synthetic Metals

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1987-28095

2,5,7,9-Tetrathiabicyclo<4.3.0>non-1(6)-en-8-thione (3) is prepared in increased yield by isolating the intermediate 4,5-dimercapto-1,3-dithiole-2-thione disodium salt (2) which undergoes efficient ringclosure with 1,2-dibromoethane.Quantitative oxidation of (3) with mercuric acetate to 2,5,7,9-tetrathiabicyclo<4.3.0>non-1(6)-en-8-one (4) followed by coupling with triethyl phosphite yields bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) in high overall yield.