The synthesis and characterisation of a group of vinylenedithio–TTFs bearing two or four 2- or 4-pyridyl groups are described, along with related nickel and gold bidithiolene, as potential substrates for preparing multifunctional materials. In spite of the pyridyl groups not being coplanar with the vinylenedithio–TTF cores and the significant chair-type distortions of the cores, because of the flexing of the dithiin rings, these substituted donors preserve the stacking ability of the unsubstituted donors in the solid state. The pyridyl substitution does not significantly change the redox potentials of these donors. Electrocrystallisation of a bis(2-pyridyl) donor with perrhenate gave a dicationic salt in which the donor is both protonated and oxidized, and the pyridinium group makes a hydrogen bond to a perrhenate ion. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)