Chemistry of geminal-dithiolates derived from cyano-substituted tetrathiafulvalenes

Tetracyanotetrathiafulvalene reacts with two equivalents of thiol salts (RS−) to give 1,2-dicyano-1,2-di RS ethene and a geminal dithiolate intermediate which reacts with a variety of reagents to provide novel tetrathioethene derivatives, such as reaction with 3-chloro-2-butanone and acid to give dimethyldicyanotetrathiafulvalene.