Supramolecular one-dimensional conducting nanofibers from a C ₃ -symmetric tetrathiafulvalene derivative

This study reports the design and synthesis of a C 3 -symmetric discotic tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivative, MeS-TTF-Ts, as a molecular platform for the self-assembly of one-dimensional conductive nanostructures. The molecular architecture contains three TTF units radially arranged around a rigid C 3 -symmetric core, enabling the formation of highly ordered one-dimensional assemblies through cooperative π–π stacking and directional intermolecular interactions. Solution casting of MeS-TTF-Ts produced nanorod and nanofiber structures with morphologies strongly dependent on the solvent conditions. AFM and SEM observations revealed that distinct supramolecular structures were formed depending on the solvent and substrate used, suggesting that molecular interactions and assembly processes play important roles in determining the resulting morphologies. Furthermore, MeS-TTF-Ts was combined with the strong electron acceptor F4TCNQ to form a charge-transfer complex, (MeS-TTF-Ts)(F4TCNQ) 3 , which yielded well-defined one-dimensional nanofibers. UV–vis and FTIR spectroscopic analyses confirmed substantial charge transfer from MeS-TTF-Ts to F4TCNQ through the formation of F4TCNQ − and TTF + species. These results indicate the formation of a highly charge-transferred donor–acceptor assembly in the nanofibers. Electrical conductivity measurements revealed that the (MeS-TTF-Ts)(F4TCNQ) 3 nanofibers exhibit a conductivity of 1.24 × 10 −2 S·cm −1 . These findings demonstrate that rational molecular design combined with controlled supramolecular self-assembly provides an effective strategy for constructing one-dimensional conductive nanostructures based on organic charge-transfer systems.