The innovation engine for new materials

Edward Friedman

University: 

University of California, Santa Barbara

Major: 

Chemical Engineering

Site Abroad: 

Fudan University, China

Mentor(s): 

Tian Jia

Faculty Sponsor(s): 

Zhanting Li

Project Title: 

SYNTHESIS OF ONE USEFUL TETRATHIAFULVALENE BASED BUILDING BLOCK

Project Description: 

The discovery of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) has played a critical role in the investigation of organic conductors and superconductors. With TTF acting as the backbone for organic electron donors, extensive studies have been and are continually being carried out on their synthetic and structural properties. By combining the method of the cheap and highly efficient way of inorganic synthesis of 1,3-Dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate (DMIT), the organic synthesis of TTF can be shortened by using some basic synthesis techniques. These techniques include column chromatography, evaporation, refluxing under inert atmosphere, and filtration. Finding a quick and highly efficient synthesis of TTF will help shorten the preparation of studies on organic conductors and superconductors. Here, we have synthesized one useful TTF based building block. With small steric hindrance and double protecting group, this moiety can be introduced or functionalized very easily in a supramolecular system.