Molecular Suppression of the Pimerization of Viologens (=4,4′‐Bipyridinium Derivatives) Attached to Nanocrystalline Titanium Dioxide Thin‐Film Electrodes

Twelve viologens, i.e., 4,4′‐bipyridinium derivatives 1 – 12 , were examined for their use as electrochromic material when attached to nanocrystalline titanium dioxide thin‐film electrodes. Eight of these ( 1 – 4 , 7 – 8 , 10 , and 12 ) are new, and their synthesis is included. The modifier compounds consist of one to four bipyridinium subunits with linear or dendritic architecture, equipped with one to three TiO₂‐anchoring phosphonate groups. They are tailored for high electrochromic dynamics (large absorbance change upon reduction) and low extent of pimerization (=charge‐transfer (CT) complexation of viologen cation radicals). A new graphical method is presented for the discrimination of simple dilution phenomena and more complex structural effects on the extent of pimerization in the surface‐attached viologen layer.