Tricyanovinyl derivatives as acceptors

Abstract The preparation and characterisation of two new acceptors, p-hexacyanodivinylbenzene (HCDV) and i-hexacyanodivinylbenzene (i-HCDV) are described. The cyclic voltammetry of these acceptors shows two one electron reversible waves. The potential separation between the two electrochemical steps is smaller for the meta isomer i-HCDV. Recently Scalapino and Hirsch [1] have discovered by Montecarlo simulations that molecules which could be involved in a simultaneous two-electron transfer, may give rise to high Tc superconductivity. We reasoned that hexacyanodivinylbenzene, 1 may be a good acceptor candidate to test this proposal because the two tricyanovinyl moieties may act independently in electron transfer processes.