Synthesis and Electronic Properties of Oxidized Benzo[1,2‑<i>b</i>:4,5‑<i>b</i>′]dithiophenes

Benzo­[1,2-b:4,5-b′]­dithiophenes were oxidized under mild conditions with m-CPBA to yield the corresponding bis-sulfones (or tetraoxides). These sulfones possess red-shifted absorption and emission spectra relative to the parent molecules. Electrochemical analyses reveal that the benzodithiophene molecules are transformed from electron donors to electron acceptors.