Capturing polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles in electron donor–acceptor complexes

Stoichiometry and stability of electron donor–acceptor complexes formed by dibenzothiophene and its alkylated derivatives with DDQ and TCNE in nonpolar organic solvents has been investigated. 4,6-Dimethyldibenzothiophene produces the most stable 1: 1 complex with DDQ in agreement with energy levels of the π-donors HOMOs and π-acceptors LUMOs calculated by DFT. The results make possible an employment of the complexes for multiplex determination of polycyclic aromatic pollutants using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy.