Development of photofunctional materials using TTF derivatives containing a 1,3-benzothiazole ring

1,3-Benzothiazole (BTA) ring is known as a key part for photofunctional organic materials and has been used as cyanine dyes. We designed new tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivatives connected to the BTA part directly (1) or through an ethylene spacer (2) to realize novel photo-switchable conducting materials and photoelectric conversion materials. In this paper, we will discuss about the synthesis, structures and physical properties of molecules 1, 2. Furthermore, we will report on the photoinduced conductivity using a single crystal of molecule 2.