Synthesis and structure of novel disulfide(trisulfide)-containing thiophenes

A novel trisulfide-containing thiophene, 1,5-dihydrothieno[3,4-a][1,2,3]trithiepine (5), and a disulfide analogue, 1,4-dihydrothieno[3,4-d][1,2]dithiine (4), were designed and synthesized. All the compounds were characterized by FT-IR, NMR, Raman, MS, and elemental analysis, some of which were confirmed by single-crystal structure analysis. The designed molecules have potential usage as the cathode material for batteries.