1,3-Dithioles

This chapter covers the synthesis, reactivity, characterization, and applications of 1,3-dithiolylium ions, 1,3-dithiole-2-ones, 1,3-dithiole-2-thiones, and 1,3-dithioles in general, which are five-membered heterocycles possessing two sulfur atoms at 1- and 3-position of the ring. All synthetic procedures on the ring carbon and heteroatoms along with the substituents attached to them have been reviewed comprehensively with respect to the 1,3-dithiole reactivity. The synthetic protocols of tetrathiafulvalenes (TTFs) and their π-extended derivatives ex-TTFs, have been reviewed in a broad section as a subclass of 1,3-dithiole compounds due to their widespread utility as organic electronic donors for applications in material science such as organic semiconductors, organic metals and superconductors. Additionally, applications of 1,3-dithiole derivatives in the last decade as organic sensors, solar cells, transistors have also been discussed and explained with experimental and theoretical methods. Some of the 1,3-dithiole derivatives with significant applications in supramolecular chemistry and healthcare industry have also been included in this chapter.