Chalcogenated tetracene organic metals

A process for preparing an ion-radical salt wherein said ion-radical salt is represented by the formula

• (D.sub.x).sup.n.spsp.+ (A).sup.n.spsp.-
• wherein (D.sub.x).sup.n.spsp.+ is a chalcogenated tetracene complex cation selected from the group consisting of complex cations of tetrathiotetracene, tetraselenotetracene and tetratellurotetracene and A is an anion selected from the group consisting of
• a. an inorganic anion selected from the group consisting of Br.sub.3.sup.-, I.sub.3.sup.-, F.sup.-, Cl.sup.-, Br.sup.-, I.sup.-, SCN.sup.-, nitrate, sulfate, phosphate, fluoroborate, ferricyanide, molybdate, tungstate;
• and
• b. an organic anion derived from an organic acid selected from the group consisting of:
• an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid, an unsaturated carboxylic acid, an aromatic carboxylic acid, a sulfonic acid, a heterocyclic acid containing from 5 to 6 atoms in the heterocyclic nucleus and having at least one hetero atom selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur atom;
• a monohydric phenol, and a polyhydric phenol;
• and
• x represents the ratio of D to A and has a value between about 3 and about 1.5 and
• n is an integer between 1 and 5 comprising the steps of
• 1. forming a first vapor comprising said chalcogenated tetracene complex cation;
• 2. forming a second vapor comprising said anion;
• and
• 3. reacting said first vapor with said second vapor at a temperature of about 75.degree. C to about 300.degree. C in a substantially inert atmosphere.

A process for preparing (tetrathiotetracene.sub.2).sup.+ (I.sub.3).sup.- comprising the steps of:

• 1. forming a vapor of tetrathiotetracene;
• 2. forming a vapor of iodine;
• and
• 3. reacting the tetrathiotetracene vapor with the iodine vapor at a temperature of about 225.degree. C in a vacuum.