New viologen analogs: 1,4-bis[2-(pyridin-4-yl)ethenyl]benzene quaternary salts

Alkylation of 1,4-bis[2-(pyridin-4-yl)ethenyl]benzene with alkyl p-toluenesulfonates and dimethyl sulfate gave new viologen analogs, 1-alkyl-4-(2-{4-[2-(1-alkylpyridinium-4-yl)ethenyl]phenyl}ethenyl)-pyridinium bis(p-toluenesulfonates) and sulfate. Their derivatives with tetrafluoroborate and tetraphenylborate ions were also obtained. Spectral properties of the synthesized compounds were examined, and their structure was determined by X-ray analysis.