Intramolecular redox-induced dimerization in a viologen dendrimer

The redox chemistry of a newly synthesized small dendrimer containing six peripheral viologen units and a phosphazene core is described. The one-electron reduction of each viologen (total six electrons) leads to intermolecular dimerization of the reduced viologens borne by the same phosphorous atom, resulting in a color change from colourless to purple providing it with potential electrochromic applications.