Electron-Rich Pyrroloindacenodithiophenes: Synthesis, Characterization, and Spectroscopic Studies

N-Alkyl substituted pyrroloindacenodithiophene
(PIDT) and their phenyl substituted derivatives were synthesized.
Their single-crystal structures and electrochemical and spectroscopic
properties were investigated. Experimental results showed PIDT displayed
strong electron-donating properties, reversible redox behaviors, and
strong fluorescence and could be controlled to oxidize to radical
cation and dication with distinctive optical changes. These attractive
properties demonstrated the potential applications of PIDT in the
field of switches, molecular machines, and information memories.