Syntheses of shuttlecock- and bowl-equipped phenylazopyridines and photomodulation of their coordination ability to Zn-porphyrin

Shuttlecock- and bowl-equipped 4-(phenylazo)pyridine derivatives, which bear substituents that allow the pyridine moiety to protrude in the trans form but hinder it in the cis form, have been designed and synthesized. These molecules show cis/trans photoisomerization despite the presence of bulky substituents. ¹H NMR titration with Zn-porphyrin showed that the trans isomers coordinate to Zn-porphyrin much stronger than the cis isomers.     

Synthesis of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives with trans-alkyl substituents on opposite methylene bridges

Reaction of the bis(spirodiene) calixarene derivative 9 possessing exocyclic double bonds with tetraethylammonium fluoride or chloride afforded bis(spirodienone) calixarene derivatives substituted by the corresponding halogen atoms (11 and 12). Reaction of 9 with alkyl cuprates yielded in one step p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives with opposite methylene groups substituted in a trans fashion by identical alkyl substituents (methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl). The isopropyl derivative 16 displayed the largest cone-to-cone inversion barrier of the series.     

Conformationally tailored N-[(2-methyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-2-yl)carbonyl]proline templates as molecular tools for the design of peptidomimetics. Design and synthesis of fibrinogen receptor antagonists

The proline peptide bond was shown by 2D proton NMR studies to exist exclusively in the trans conformation in benzyl (2S)-1-[[(2S)-2-methyl-6-nitro-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-2-yl]carbonyl]-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate [(S,S)-11], benzyl (2S)-1-[[(2S)-2-methyl-7-nitro-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-2-yl]carbonyl]-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate [(S,S)-9], and in the corresponding 6-amino and 7-amino carboxylic acids (S,S)-3 and (S,S)-4. On the other hand, the diastereomers (R,S)-11 and (R,S)-9 containing an (R)[2-methyl-6/7-nitro-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-2-yl]carbonyl moiety, and the diastereoisomers (R,S)-3 and (R,S)-4 incorporating an (R)[6/7-amino-2-methyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-2-yl]carbonyl moiety were found to exist as equilibria of trans(63-83%) and cis(17-37%) isomers. These conformationally defined templates were applied in the construction of RGD mimetics possessing antagonistic activity at the platelet fibrinogen receptor.     

Competitive formation of cis and trans derivatives in the nucleophilic substitution reactions of cyclophosphazenes having a mono-spiro P-NHR group

Nucleophilic substitution reactions of N(3)P(3)Cl(4)[NH(CH(2))(3)NMe] (1) and N(3)P(3)Cl(4)[NH(CH(2))(3)O] (2) with mono-functional alcohols (methanol, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, phenol) and a secondary amine (pyrrolidine) were used to investigate the relationship between the incoming nucleophile and the proportions of products with substituents that are cis or trans to the spiro NH moiety. The reaction products were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopy and the configurational isomers by X-ray crystallography. Six products have been characterised with the substituent cis to the spiro NH group for the alcohol (methanol, phenol) and pyrrolidine derivatives of both compounds 1 and 2, compared to just one derivative with the substituent trans to the spiro NH group, that for the pyrrolidine derivative of compound 2. For each reaction the relative proportions of cis and trans isomers were determined by (31)P NMR measurements of the reaction mixtures. It was found that the reactions of compound 1 with all three alcohols and of compound 2 with methanol lead to exclusive formation of isomers with the substituent cis to the NH moiety, whereas all other reactions lead to mixtures of cis and trans isomers in different ratios under standard reaction conditions. However, when crown ether is included in the reaction medium for the reactions of compound 2 with both 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol and phenol, it is found that only cis isomers are formed. All these results are rationalised in terms of the competition between at least two effects; the cis-directing effect by hydrogen bonding of the incoming nucleophile to the spiro N-H group already present on the cyclophophazene ring and the cis-directing effect of the sodium cation coordinating to the oxygen lone pairs of the P-O moiety of the spiro ring.     

2-氯-2-氧代(硫代)-1, 3, 2-二氧磷杂环己烷的甲醇解及其开环 异构化反应

报道了trans-2-氧代-2-氯-4-苯基-5,5-二甲基-1,3,2-二氧磷杂环己烷以及cis-2-硫代-2-氯-4-苯基-5,5-二甲基-1,3,2-二氧磷杂环己烷甲醇解反应的立体化学。结果表明,反应体系的酸碱性对前者甲醇解反应的立体化学有着重要影响。而硫代环磷酰氯在碱性条件下的甲醇解反应存在一个开环异构化过程。     

Synthesis of 3-Ethoxy-2-Oxo-3-Phenyl-1,2-Oxaphosphorinane-3,5-Diene

Abstract

In view of the limited number of examples of 2-oxo-l,2-oxaphosphorinane3,5diene derivatives^1,2, we investigated the preparation of the title compound and derivatives of the same. Of additional interest were the spectroscopic propertits of this class of compounds, their stability, and the outcome of their reaction with nucleophilts. Prior work in our laboratory on the synthesis of simple phostones and their derivatives³, led us to use these as starting mataials. The presence of the phenyl substituent in la, (cis and trans isomers) permitted facile introduction of a bromo group through free radical bromination with NBS/AIBN to give 2a,b in 79% overall yield. The individual isomers of 2 were separated; tentative stereochemical assignments were made using NMR spectroscopy. Treatmnt of 2 with LiCl/DMF gave 3; the trans isomer (phenyl and OEt trans) 2b reacted much faster than the cis isomer. Treatmnt of 3 with NBS/AIBN gave 4a,b and 5 which were separated by flash chromatography. Dehydrobromination of 4 (71% yield) was achieved by heating with an excess of Et₃N in toluenc at 95°C to produce 6; likewise, dehydrobromination of 5 at 70°C gave 7.     

Mesoionic dimethyl derivatives of some 1,2,4-triazinones. The course of the reaction of 3,5-dimethoxy, 3-methoxy-5-methylthio, 5-methoxy-3- methylthio and 3,5-bis(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazine with methyl iodide

Treatment of 3,5-dimethoxy-1,2,4-triazine ( 1a ) with methyl iodide was found to give depending on the reaction time triazinium iodide 2a , triaziniumolates 4a and 6a as well as methoxytriazinones 7a and 8a . Thermolysis of 2a gave triaziniumolates 4a and 6a . Reaction of 2a , 4a or methoxytriazinone 9a with methyl iodide in acetonitrile yielded as the sole product 6a . Reaction of 3-methoxy-5-methylthio-1,2,4-tri-azine (1b ) with methyl iodide gave triazinium iodide 2b and methylthio triazinone 7b . Hydrolysis of 2a,b afforded 4a . Reaction of 5-methoxy-3-methylthio-1,2,4-triazine ( 1c ) with methyl iodide gave triazinium iodide 2c , triaziniumolate 4b , triazinium iodide 5b and triazinone 8b . Hydrolysis of 2c yielded 4b and its thermolysis gave a mixture of 4b and 5b . Reaction of 2c , 4b and triazinone 9b with methyl iodide afforded 5b . Treatment of 3,5-bis(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazine ( 1d ) with methyl iodide was found to give a mixture of N1 and N2 methiodides 2d and 3d which gave on hydrolysis 4b and 8b , respectively. Methylation of 6-methyl derivatives 1c-g gave analogous results, however the proportions of N1 methylated products were lower and the reaction rates higher in comparison to their respective lower homologues 1a,c,d . The structures of the mesoionic dimethyl derivatives were assigned from uv, ir, ¹H nmr and electron impact mass spectra. The structural assignments were eventually confirmed by quantum chemical calculations of net charge distributions, bond lengths and ipso angles of the C5?O bonds.     

Practical synthesis of a neuropeptide Y antagonist via stereoselective addition to a ketene

[Reaction: see text]. The synthesis of neuropeptide Y antagonist 1, currently under clinical investigation for the treatment of obesity, is described. The convergent synthesis from trans-spirolactone carboxylic acid intermediate 2a and aminopyrazole 3 is predicated on a stereoselective route to the former. The coupling reaction of ethyl 4-oxocyclohexanecarboxylate (10a) with lithiated isonicotinamide 11 was investigated in detail, but even optimized conditions only provided a 45:55 ratio of trans:cis isomers (12a:12b). While selective crystallization schemes were developed to isolate the thermodynamically less stable trans isomer 2a, improved stereocontrol was subsequentially achieved by the application of ketene chemistry. The ketene formation and quench was investigated under a variety of conditions aimed at maximizing the trans:cis ratio. Reacting a mixture of carboxylic acids 2a and 2b with POCl3 in THF, followed by concomitant addition of tert-butyl alcohol in the presence of TMEDA at 35 degrees C provided a 4:1 ratio of trans:cis tert-butyl esters (18a:18b) via in situ ketene formation. Ester hydrolysis, followed by selective crystallization of undesired 2b as the HCl salt, led to isolation of 2a in 47% overall yield. Aminopyrazole intermediate 3 was synthesized via the condensation reaction of 2-fluorophenylhydrazine hydrochloride (4a) with acrylonitrile derivative 5 in 65-70% yield. Coupling of advanced intermediates 2a and 3b via activation with thionyl chloride gave a 92% yield of 1.     

WAVELENGTH DEPENDENCE OF THE INTERSYSTEM CROSSING EFFICIENCY FOR RETINAL ISOMERS

Abstract— The quantum efficiencies of intersystem crossing (_ISC) fur four isomers of retinal, the all- trans , 9- cis , 11- cis and 13- cis , have been measured using both 265 nm and 353 nm excitation. The values for the all- trans and 9- cis isomers are independent of the excitation wavelength but the values for the 11- cis and 13- cis isomers show a marked increase in the efficiency of ISC for 353 nm excitation compared with the 265 nm excitation.     

Fluorinated alcohol mediated displacement of the C10 acetoxy group of benzo[a]pyrene-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrotetraol tetraacetates: a new route to diol epoxide-deoxyguanosine adducts

We describe a novel trifluoroethanol (TFE) or hexafluoropropan-2-ol (HFP) mediated substitution reaction of the bay-region C10 acetoxy group in four stereoisomeric 7,8,9,10-tetraacetoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrenes (tetraol tetraacetates, two pairs of cis and trans isomers at the 9,10 positions) by the exocyclic N2-amino group of O6-allyl-3',5'-di-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine (3). The tetraacetates are derived from cis and trans hydrolysis of (+/-)-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9beta,10beta-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P DE-1) and of (+/-)-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P DE-2) at C-10 followed by acetylation. Excellent yields and high regioselectivity were observed. Similar cis/trans product ratios were observed for each set of cis and trans tetraol tetraacetates derived from DE-1 ( approximately 75/25) and from DE-2 (approximately 67/33) in HFP. This strongly suggests that the substitution proceeds via an SN1 mechanism involving a carbocation intermediate that is common to the cis and trans tetraacetates. Since it is likely that the cis and trans products from 3 arise from different conformations of the carbocation, its lifetime must be sufficiently long to permit conformational equilibration before its capture by the purine nucleophile. The corresponding reaction of (+/-)-9alpha-bromo-7beta,8alpha,10beta-triacetoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene with 3 in HFP was highly regio- and stereoselective and gave exclusively trans 10beta-adducts. This newly developed substitution reaction provides an attractive alternative synthetic strategy for the preparation of polycyclic hydrocarbon adducted oligonucleotide building blocks.     

Photoisomerization of arylstilbazolium ligands in the presence of DNA

The ability of the DNA duplex to behave as an efficient organized medium for trans-cis photoisomerization has been explored. The presence of DNA affected isomerization in a variety of ways depending on the aryl moiety properties of the ligand and its DNA-binding mode. Contrary to intercalating ligands, 9-[2-(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)vinyl]phenanthrene (2) and 9-[2-(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)vinyl]anthracene (3), which gave only cis and trans isomers, the additional products--cyclobutane photodimers--were detected for 2-[2-(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)vinyl]naphthalene (1), which binds cooperatively to the minor groove of DNA. Photostationary states (pss) for all ligands were seriously affected by the presence of DNA. A trans isomer-rich pss and restriction of trans --> cis process, observed for ligands 1 and 2, were explained in terms of a different binding affinity of DNA toward particular isomers. On the contrary, 9-anthryl derivative 3 isomerized against the isomer-binding preferences, showing cis isomer-rich pss and enhanced quantum yield of isomerization. The unique behavior of ligand 3-DNA complex was attributed to different isomerization mechanism that consists in quantum chain isomerization from an excited singlet state possessing a charge transfer character. This is the first example of ligand, which undergoes DNA-mediated cis-trans isomerization in the opposite direction than expected from DNA-binding preferences. The analysis of pss data based on two alternative pathways of photoisomerization showed that investigated ligands follow the model that allows isomerization of both free and DNA-bound ligands.     

Furopyridines. IX. Syntheses and properties of 3-ethoxy derivatives of furo[2,3-b]-, furo[3,2-b]-, furo[2,3-c]- and furo[3,2-c]pyridine

Reaction of ethyl 3-ethoxycarbonylmethoxyfuropyridine-2-carboxylates 2a-2d with sodium ethoxide afforded 3-ethoxy derivatives 3a-3d which converted to 3-ethoxyfuropyridines 5a-5d by hydrolysis and decarboxylation of the ester group. Vilsmeier reaction of 5a and 5b gave 2-formyl-3-ethoxy derivatives 6a and 6b and 2-formyl-3-chloro derivatives 7a and 7b , while 5c and 5d did not give any formyl compound. Bromination of 3-ethoxyfuropyridines with 1 equivalent mole of bromine gave 2-bromo-3-ethoxyfuropyridines 9a-9d , whereas reaction with 3 equivalents of bromine yielded 2,2-dibromo-3,3-diethoxy-2,3-dihydrofuropyridines ( 10a and 10b ) and/or 2-bromo-3,3-diethoxy-2,3-dihydrofuropyridines 11b , 11c and 11d . Treatment of compounds 5a-5d with n-butyllithium in hexane-tetrahydrofuran at ?70° and subsequent addition of N,N-dimethylformamide yielded 2-formyl derivatives 6a-6d .     

An efficient synthesis and reactions of novel indolylpyridazinone derivatives with expected biological activity

Reaction of 4-anthracen-9-yl-4-oxo-but-2-enoic acid (1) with indole gave the corresponding butanoic acid 2. Cyclocondensation of 2 with hydrazine hydrate, phenyl hydrazine, semicarbazide and thiosemicarbazide gave the pyridazinone derivatives 3a-d. Reaction of 3a with POCl(3) for 30 min gave the chloropyridazine derivative 4a, which was used to prepare the corresponding carbohydrate hydrazone derivatives 5a-d. Reaction of chloropyridazine 4a with some aliphatic or aromatic amines and anthranilic acid gave 6a-f and 7, respectively. When the reaction of the pyridazinone derivative 3a with POCl(3) was carried out for 3 hr an unexpected product 4b was obtained. The structure of 4b was confirmed by its reaction with hydrazine hydrate to give hydrazopyridazine derivative 9, which reacted in turn with acetyl acetone to afford 10. Reaction of 4b with methylamine gave 11, which reacted with methyl iodide to give the trimethylammonium iodide derivative 12. The pyridazinone 3a also reacted with benzene- or 4-toluenesulphonyl chloride to give 13a-b and with aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes to give 14a-g. All proposed structures were supported by IR, (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, and MS spectroscopic data. Some of the new products showed antibacterial activity.     

Spectroscopic Characterization of the Geminal Isomer of Lewisite

Abstract

Lewisite is generally a mixture of several components with the trans isomer of lewisite being the predominant compound. A geminal isomer has not been previously reported as one of the components of the mixture. In the lewisite samples we examined, the geminal isomer, dichloro(l-chlorovinyl)arsine, comprised 2.7 per cent of the total material compared to 95.2 and less than 1 per cent, respectively, for the trans and cis isomers. The remaining fraction was not identified. The geminal isomer of lewisite has been characterized along with the trans and cis isomers using several spectroscopic techniques. Proton NMR of the geminal isomer produced a coupling constant consistent with vinylic protons in a geminal configuration. Mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy characterizations were based on an ethanedithiol derivative of the lewisite isomers with gas chromatography used to first separate the derivatized isomers. The electron ionization massspectra of the trans and cis derivatives were very similar, but significant differences were observed in the mass spectrum of the geminal form. Infrared absorption spectra were obtained for the trans and geminal derivatives with significant differences observed between the two, but the method was not sensitive enough to detect the cis isomer.

     

Synthesis and Biological Activity of Some New Diaryl Sulphones Containing Fused Thiazolo Pyrimidines

This paper describes the synthesis of some pyrimido[2,1‐b]benzothiazol‐8‐yl sulphones ( 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16 ) starting from bis[2‐aminobenzothiazol‐6‐yl)sulphone 1. Reaction of 1 with acetic anhydride and/or benzoyl chloride gave substituted amino derivatives 2a,b , whereas its reaction with phenacyl bromide and/or p‐chlorophenacyl bromide gave imidazo benzothiazol‐7‐yl sulphones 4a,b .     

Influence of the beta-alkoxy group on the diastereoselectivity of Aldol reactions of tetrahydro-4H-thiopyran-4-one with 4-Alkoxytetrahydro-2H-thiopyran-3-carboxaldehydes

The diastereoselectivity of the aldol reaction of tetrahydro-4H-thiopyran-4-one (3) with 1,4-dioxa-8-thiaspiro[4.5]decane-6-carboxaldehyde (9a) under a variety of conditions is examined. Under optimized conditions, three of the four possible diastereomers from this aldol reaction can be obtained selectively (3-16:1). Reactions of 9a with the Li, B, Mg(II), and Ti(IV) enolates of 3 and with the corresponding trimethylsilyl enol ether 4b in the presence of BF(3) x OEt(2), SnCl(4), or TiCl(4) as promoters gave the Felkin adducts exclusively (>95%) as mixtures of syn (11a) and anti (12a) diastereomers. Use of the "amine-free" Li enolate of 3 gave 12a with a much higher diastereoselectivity (9:1) and yield (70%) than that obtained using the lithium diisopropylamide-generated Li enolate of 3 (2-3:1; 15-40%). The TiCl(4)-promoted reaction of 4b with 9a gave 11a with excellent selectivity (16:1). In contrast, the MgBr(2) x OEt(2)-promoted reaction of 4b with 9a gave the anti-Felkin adducts exclusively as a 3:1 mixture of syn (13a)/anti (14a) diastereomers. Similar aldol reactions of 3 with the cis and trans isomers of 4-(methoxy)methoxytetrahydro-2H-thiopyran-3-carboxaldehyde (9b and 9c) were examined to probe the influence of the ketal protecting group in 9a on the observed aldol diastereoselectivity. The results are rationalized by applying Evans' stereochemical model for merged 1,2- and 1,3-asymmetric induction (non-chelation), with the exception of the MgBr(2) x OEt(2)-promoted reactions of 4b with 9a, 9b, and 9c, which are accommodated by assuming chelation control. Comparison of the reactions of 9a, 9b, and 9c suggests that the ketal group in 9a uniquely allows high levels of either Felkin or anti-Felkin selectivity to be achieved.     

Separation characteristics of fatty acid methyl esters using SLB-IL111, a new ionic liquid coated capillary gas chromatographic column

The ionic liquid SLB-IL111 column, available from Supelco Inc., is a novel fused capillary gas chromatography (GC) column capable of providing enhanced separations of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) compared to the highly polar cyanopropyl siloxane columns currently recommended for the separation of cis- and trans isomers of fatty acids (FAs), and marketed as SP-2560 and CP-Sil 88. The SLB-IL111 column was operated isothermal at 168°C, with hydrogen as carrier gas at 1.0 mL/min, and the elution profile was characterized using authentic GC standards and synthetic mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers as test mixtures. The SLB-IL111 column provided an improved separation of cis- and trans-18:1 and cis/trans CLA isomers. This is the first direct GC separation of c9,t11- from t7,c9-CLA, and t15-18:1 from c9-18:1, both of which previously required complimentary techniques for their analysis using cyanopropyl siloxane columns. The SLB-IL111 column also provided partial resolution of t13/t14-18:1, c8- from c6/c7-18:1, and for several t,t-CLA isomer pairs. This column also provided elution profiles of the geometric and positional isomers of the 16:1, 20:1 and 18:3 FAMEs that were complementary to those obtained using the cyanopropyl siloxane columns. However, on the SLB-IL111 column the saturated FAs eluted between the cis- and trans MUFAs unlike cyanopropyl siloxane columns that gave a clear separation of most saturated FAs. These differences in elution pattern can be exploited to obtain a more complete analysis of complex lipid mixtures present in ruminant fats.     

Furopyridines. XXVII. Reactions of 2-methyl and 2-cyano derivatives of furo[2,3-b]-, -[3,2-b]-, - [2,3-c]- and -[3,2-c]pyridine

Bromination of 2-methylfuropyridines 1a-d-Me gave the 3-bromo derivatives 2a-d , while the 2-cyano compounds 1a-d-CN resulted in the recovery of the starting compounds. Nitration of 1a-d-Me and 1a-d-CN did not yield the corresponding nitro derivative, except for 1-c-CN giving 3-nitro derivative 3c in 7% yield. N-Oxidation of 1a-d-Me and 1b-d-CN with m-chloroperbenzoic acid yielded the N-oxides 4a-d-Me and 4b-d-CN , whereas 1a-CN did not afford the N-oxide. Cyanation of N-oxides 4a-d-Me and 4b-d-CN with trimethylsilyl cyanide gave the corresponding α-cyanopyridine compounds 5a-d-Me and 5b-d-CN . Chlorination of 4a-d-Me and 4b-d-CN with phosphorus oxychloride also gave the α-chloropyridine compounds 6b-d-Me and 6b-d-CN , accompanying formation of γ-chloropyridine 6a-Me, 6′b-Me and 6′b-CN , β-chloropyridine 6′b-CN , and α'-chloropyridine derivatives 6′c-Me and 6′c-CN . Acetoxylation of 4a-d-Me and 4b-d-CN with acetic anhydride yielded α-acetoxypyridine compounds 7a-Me and 7b-CN , pyridone compounds 11d-Me, 11c-CN and 11d-CN , 3-acetoxy compounds 8, 9b, 9c , and 2-acetoxymethyl derivatives 10b and 10c.     

1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions of 2‐substituted azomethine N‐oxides with N‐benzyl maleimides leading to the synthesis of stereoisomers

The azomethine N‐oxides ( 1 ) on reacting with N‐benzylmaleimide ( 2 ) provide a mixture of stereoisomers 2,3‐diphenyl‐5‐benzyl‐4H‐2,3,3a,5,6,6a‐hexahydropyrrolo[3,4‐d]isoxazole‐4,6–dione derivatives ( 3 ) in good yields. These isomers have been assigned cis and trans configurations ( 3‐A and 3‐B ) with respect to proton C₃‐H on the azomethinic carbon on the basis of their PMR and H‐NMR COSY data. The ratio between cis and trans isomers has been found to be dependent on substituents present at ortho position of C‐phenyl aldehydic moiety. The salient feature of these 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions lies in that the benzylic protons on N‐benzyl moiety suffer gem coupling, indicating magnetic nonequivalence. J. Heterocyclic Chem.,, (2012).     

Remarkable interplay of redox states and conformational changes in a sterically crowded, cross-conjugated tetrathiafulvalene vinylog

Derivatives of 9-[2-(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)ethylidene]thioxanthene have been synthesized using Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reactions of (1,3-dithiol-2-yl)phosphonate reagents with thioxanthen-9-ylidene-acetaldehyde (5). Further reactions lead to the sterically crowded cross-conjugated "vinylogous tetrathiafulvalene" derivative 9-[2,3-bis-(4,5-dimethyl-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-propylidene]thioxanthene (10). X-ray crystallography, solution electrochemistry, optical spectroscopy, spectroelectrochemistry, and simultaneous electrochemistry and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, combined with theoretical calculations performed at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level, elucidate the interplay of the electronic and structural properties in these molecules. For compound 10, multistage redox behavior is observed: the overall electrochemical process can be represented by 10-->10(.+)-->10(2+)-->10(4+) with good reversibility for the 10-->10(.+)-->10(2+) transformations. At the tetracation stage there is the maximum gain in aromaticity at the dithiolium and thioxanthenium rings. Theory predicts that for 10, 10(.+), and 10(2+) the trans isomers are more stable than the cis isomers (by ca. 2-18 kJ mol(-1)), whereas for 10(4+) the cis isomer becomes more stable than the trans isomer (by ca. 25 kJ mol(-1)) [trans and cis refer to the arrangement of the two dithiole moieties with respect to the central ==C(R)--C(H)== fragment]. These data explain the detection in cyclic voltammograms of both trans and cis isomers of 10 and 10(.+) during the reduction of 10(4+) at fast scan rates (>100 mV s(-1)) when the cis-trans isomerization is not completed within the timescale of the experiment. The X-ray structure of the charge-transfer complex (CTC) of 10 with 2,4,5,7-tetranitrofluorene-9-dicyanomethylenefluorene (DTeF) [stoichiometry: 10(.+)(DTeF)(2) (.-)2 PhCl] reveals a twisted conformation of 10(.+) (driven by the bulky thioxanthene moiety) and provides a very rare example of segregated stacking of a fluorene acceptor in a CTC.