Functionalised tetrathiafulvalenes: new applications as versatile pi-electron systems in materials chemistry

Not only a component of molecular conductors! Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and its derivatives are versatile building blocks in many areas of materials chemistry. This article reviews the current role of substituted TTFs in cation sensors, liquid crystals, intramolecular charge-transfer and nonlinear optical materials, supramolecular switches and devices, and redox polymers (main-chain, side-chain and dendritic systems).