Novel D-pi-A chromophores based on the fulvene accepting moiety

[reaction: see text] Novel D-pi-A chromophores based on the fulvene accepting moiety and p-dimethylamino phenyl and 1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene donor moieties have been prepared. The X-ray structures of two representative derivatives have been determined. Examination of the UV-visible spectra and cyclic voltamperometry data revealed remarkable sensitivity of the electronic structure of these derivatives to substituents at the cyclopentadiene ring.