Synthesis, crystal structure and photoconductivity of new molecular complex of C60 with tetrabenzo(1,2-bis[4H-thiopyran-4-ylidene]ethene): Bz4BTPE C60

A new molecular complex of C60 with tetrabenzo(1,2-bis[4H-thiopyran-4-ylidene]ethene), Bz4BTPE C60 (1) has been obtained. The complex has a layered structure in which closely packed hexagonal layers of C60 alternate with the layers composed of Bz4BTPE molecules. The complex has a neutral ground state according to UV-vis-NIR spectrum. It has been found that single crystals of 1 show low 'dark' conductivity of σ∼10−10 (Ω cm)−1. A 102 increase in photocurrent has been observed upon illuminating the crystal with white light. Photoconductivity of 1 is sensitive to magnetic field with B0<1 T and increases up to 5% in magnetic field. The photoconductivity spectra of the complex indicate that free charge carriers are generated in the UV-visible range mainly by the Bz4BTPE excitation (the peaks at 622, 562, 472 and 348 nm) with a possible contribution of charge transfer excitations between neighboring C60 molecules (the peak at 472 nm).