UV–Vis, IR, Raman and theoretical characterization of a novel quinoid oligothiophene molecular material

A quinoid-type oligothiophene, 3 0 ,4 0 -dibutyl-5,5 00 -bis(dicyanomethylene)-5,5 00 -dihidro-2,2 0 :5 0 ,2 00 -terthiophene, which can be viewed as an analog of TCNQ, has been investigated by spectroelectrochemistry and density functional theory calculations, in its neutral and dianionic states. Electrochemical data show that the molecule can be both reduced and oxidized at relatively low potentials. Upon reduction, both experiments and theory agree well with the generation of a dianionic charged species. The model shows that the electronic structure of the dianion is consistent with two anionic dicyanomethylene groups attached to a central terthienyl spine having an aromatic structure. T…