Two-dimensional molecular engineering of amphiphilic dithio tetrathiafulvalene derivatives

Abstract This work presents two new amphiphilic molecules derived from the tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) cycle. The purpose of this work is to realize a controlled in-plane molecular architecture. In order to obtain well organized macrocycles at the air-water interface we have added to the TTF cycle four long alkyl chains, each with an acid (or ester) group. Compound I has been designed to form a regular paving in the polar plane whereas for compound II an identical arrangement in the hydrophobic plane is predicted. The synthesis and thermodynamic stability of the monolayers are investigated for both molecules. The results show that these macrocycles are lying flat on the water surface: this is the first step in two-dimensional molecular engineering.