Achieving Efficient Multichannel Conductance in Through-Space Conjugated Single-Molecule Parallel Circuits

Constructing single-molecule parallel circuits with multiple conduction channels is an effective strategy to improve the conductance of a single molecular junction, but rarely reported. We present a novel through-space conjugated single-molecule parallel circuit (f-4Ph-4SMe) comprised of a pair of closely parallelly aligned p-quaterphenyl chains tethered by a vinyl bridge and end-capped with four SMe anchoring groups. Scanning-tunneling-microscopy-based break junction (STM-BJ) and transmission calculations demonstrate that f-4Ph-4SMe holds multiple conductance states owing to different contact configurations. When four SMe groups are in contact with two electrodes at the same time, the through-bond and through-space conduction channels work synergistically, resulting in a conductance much larger than those of analogous molecules with two SMe groups or the sum of two p-quaterphenyl chains. The system is an ideal model for understanding electron transport through parallel π-stacked molecular systems and may serve as a key component for integrated molecular circuits with controllable conductance.     

A Memristive Element Based on an Electrically Controlled Single‐Molecule Reaction

The exponential proliferation of data during the information age has required the continuous exploration of novel storage paradigms, materials, and devices with increasing data density. As a step toward the ultimate limits in data density, the development of an electrically controllable single‐molecule memristive element is reported. In this device, digital information is encoded through switching between two isomer states by applying a voltage signal to the molecular junction, and the information is read out by monitoring the electrical conductance of each isomer. The two states are cycled using an electrically controllable local‐heating mechanism for the forward reaction and catalyzed by a single charge‐transfer process for the reverse switching. This single‐molecule device can be modulated in situ, is fully reversible, and does not display stochastic switching. The I–V curves of this single‐molecule system also exhibit memristive character. These features suggest a new approach for the development of molecular switching systems and storage‐class memories.     

Ruthenium Tris‐bipyridine Single‐Molecule Junctions with Multiple Joint Configurations

Single‐molecule junctions are of particular interest in molecular electronics. To realize molecular electronic devices, it is crucial that functional single‐molecule junctions are connected to each other by using joint units on the atomic scale. However, good joint units have not been reported because controlling the charge transport directions through the junctions is not trivial. Here, we report a joint unit that controls and changes the charge transport directions through the junctions, by using a ruthenium–tris‐bipyridine (RuBpy) complex. The RuBpy single‐molecule junction was fabricated with scanning tunnelling microscopy‐based break junction techniques. The RuBpy single‐molecule junction showed two distinct high and low conductance states. The two states were characterized by the conductance measurement, the correlation analysis, and the comparative experiment of bipyridine (Bpy), which is the ligand unit of RuBpy. We demonstrate that the Ru complex has multiple charge transport paths, where the charge is carried vertically and horizontally through the complex depending on the path.     

Molecular Conductance through a Quadruple‐Hydrogen‐Bond‐Bridged Supramolecular Junction

A series of self‐complementary ureido pyrimidinedione (UPy) derivatives modified with different aurophilic anchoring groups were synthesized. Their electron transport properties through the quadruple hydrogen bonds in apolar solvent were probed employing the scanning tunneling microscopy break junction (STMBJ) technique. The molecule terminated with a thiol shows the optimal electron transport properties, with a statistical conductance value that approaches 10^?3 G₀. The ¹H NMR spectra and control experiments verify the formation of quadruple hydrogen bonds, which can be effectively modulated by the polarity of the solvent environment. These findings provide a new design strategy for supramolecular circuit elements in molecular electronics.     

Orientation‐Controlled Single‐Molecule Junctions

The conductivity of a single aromatic ring, perpendicular to its plane, is determined using a new strategy under ambient conditions and at room temperature by a combination of molecular assembly, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) imaging, and STM break junction (STM‐BJ) techniques. The construction of such molecular junctions exploits the formation of highly ordered structures of flat‐oriented mesitylene molecules on Au(111) to enable direct tip/π contacts, a result that is not possible by conventional methods. The measured conductance of Au/π/Au junction is about 0.1 G_o , two orders of magnitude higher than the conductance of phenyl rings connected to the electrodes by standard anchoring groups. Our experiments suggest that long‐range ordered structures, which hold the aromatic ring in place and parallel to the surface, are essential to increase probability of the formation of orientation‐controlled molecular junctions.     

Optical and electroluminescent properties of novel poly(aryl ether)s with isolated carbazole and p‐quaterphenyl fluorophores

We report the optical and electroluminescent properties of four novel poly(aryl ether)s ( P1 – P4 ) consisting of alternate isolated hole‐transporting [carbazole or 3,6‐bis(styryl)carbazole] and electron‐transporting [dicyano‐p‐quaterphenyl or bis(trifluoromethyl)‐p‐quaterphenyl] fluorophores. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the four polymeric films show maximum peaks around 407–413 nm for P1 , P2 and 442–447 nm for P3 , P4 . The PL spectra of P1 ～ P4 are dependent on the composition of the two isolated fluorophores. According to the observation of relative quantum yield in poor solvent (cyclohexane), P2 containing more bulky trifluoromethyl groups in p‐quaterphenyl segments prevented aggregate quenching processes more than P1 . Compared with P1 and P2 with carbazole segments, P3 and P4 with 3,6‐bis(styryl)carbazole segments exhibited less interchain interaction and a low threshold electric field in a single‐layer device. The p‐quaterphenyl and carbazole [or 3,6‐bis(styryl)carbazole] segments were regarded as electron‐transporting and hole‐transporting units, respectively, in the single‐layer light‐emitting diodes (Al/ P1 – P4 /ITO). In the double‐layer device (ITO/MEH‐PPV/ P2 /Al), the maximum luminance was doubled, and the threshold electric fields diminished because P2 functioned as an electron‐transporting and hole‐blocking layer. Furthermore, the voltage‐tunable multicolor emission from orange to green was observed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 333–340, 2004     

Multichannel Conductance of Folded Single‐Molecule Wires Aided by Through‐Space Conjugation

Deciphering charge transport through multichannel pathways in single‐molecule junctions is of high importance to construct nanoscale electronic devices and deepen insight into biological redox processes. Herein, we report two tailor‐made folded single‐molecule wires featuring intramolecular π–π stacking interactions. The scanning tunneling microscope (STM) based break‐junction technique and theoretical calculations show that through‐bond and through‐space conjugations are integrated into one single‐molecule wire, allowing for two simultaneous conducting channels in a single‐molecule junction. These folded molecules with stable π–π stacking interaction offer conceptual advances in single‐molecule multichannel conductance, and are perfect models for conductance studies in biological systems, organic thin films, and π‐stacked columnar aggregates.     

Molecular Wires in Single‐Molecule Junctions: Charge Transport and Vibrational Excitations

We investigate the effect of vibrations on the electronic transport through single‐molecule junctions, using the mechanically controlled break junction technique. The molecules under investigation are oligoyne chains with appropriate end groups, which represent both an ideally linear electrical wire and an ideal molecular vibrating string. Vibronic features can be detected as satellites to the electronic transitions, which are assigned to longitudinal modes of the string by comparison with density functional theory data.     

Electron Transport through Single π‐Conjugated Molecules Bridging between Metal Electrodes

Understanding electron transport through a single molecule bridging between metal electrodes is a central issue in the field of molecular electronics. This review covers the fabrication and electron‐transport properties of single π‐conjugated molecule junctions, which include benzene, fullerene, and π‐stacked molecules. The metal/molecule interface plays a decisive role in determining the stability and conductivity of single‐molecule junctions. The effect of the metal–molecule contact on the conductance of the single π‐conjugated molecule junction is reviewed. The characterization of the single benzene molecule junction is also discussed using inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy and shot noise. Finally, electron transport through the π‐stacked system using π‐stacked aromatic molecules enclosed within self‐assembled coordination cages is reviewed. The electron transport in the π‐stacked systems is found to be efficient at the single‐molecule level, thus providing insight into the design of conductive materials.     

(E)‐N‐{[6‐Chloro‐4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridin‐5‐yl]methylene}benzene‐1,2‐diamine: a three‐dimensional framework structure built from only two hydrogen bonds

The molecules of the title compound, C₂₆H₁₉Cl₂N₅, are conformationally chiral, with none of the aryl groups coplanar with the pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine core of the molecule. A single unique N—H...N hydrogen bond links the molecules into two symmetry‐related sets of C(11) chains running parallel to the [011] and [01] directions, respectively, and these two sets of chains are linked into a continuous three‐dimensional framework structure by a single unique C—H...N hydrogen bond which forms a chain parallel to the [100] direction.     

13‐cis‐β,β‐Carotene and 15‐cis‐β,β‐carotene

13‐cis‐β,β‐Carotene, C₄₀H₅₆, crystallizes with a complete molecule in the asymmetric unit, whereas 15‐cis‐β,β‐carotene, also C₄₀H₅₆, has twofold symmetry about an axis through the central bond of the polyene chain. The polyene methyl groups are arranged on one side of the polyene chains for each molecule and the 6‐s‐cisβ end groups, with the cyclohexene rings in half‐chair conformations, are twisted out of the planes of the polyene chains by angles ranging from 41.37 (17) to 52.2 (4)°. The molecules in each structure pack so that the arms of one occupy the cleft of the next, and there is significant π–π stacking of the almost‐parallel polyene chains of the 15‐cis isomer, which approach at distances of 3.319 (1)–3.591 (1) Å.     

4,6‐Dinitro‐N,N′‐di‐n‐octylbenzene‐1,3‐diamine, 4,6‐dinitro‐N,N′‐di‐n‐undecylbenzene‐1,3‐diamine and N,N′‐bis(2,4‐dinitrophenyl)octane‐1,8‐diamine

4,6‐Dinitro‐N,N′‐di‐n‐octylbenzene‐1,3‐diamine, C₂₂H₃₈N₄O₄, (I), 4,6‐dinitro‐N,N′‐di‐n‐undecylbenzene‐1,3‐diamine, C₂₈H₅₀N₄O₄, (II), and N,N′‐bis(2,4‐dinitrophenyl)octane‐1,8‐diamine, C₂₀H₂₄N₆O₈, (III), are the first synthetic meta‐dinitroarenes functionalized with long‐chain aliphatic amine groups to be structurally characterized. The intra‐ and intermolecular interactions in these model compounds provide information that can be used to help understand the physical properties of corresponding polymers with similar functionalities. Compounds (I) and (II) possess near‐mirror symmetry, with the octyl and undecyl chains adopting fully extended anti conformations in the same direction with respect to the ring. Compound (III) rests on a center of inversion that occupies the mid‐point of the central C—C bond of the octyl chain. The middle six C atoms of the chain form an anti arrangement, while the remaining two C atoms take hard turns almost perpendicular to the rest of the chain. All three molecules display intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds between the amine and nitro groups, with the same NH group forming a bifurcated intermolecular hydrogen bond to the nitro O atom of an adjacent molecule. In each case, these interactions link the molecules into one‐dimensional molecular chains. In (I) and (II), these chains pack so that the pendant alkyl groups are interleaved parallel to one another, maximizing nonbonded C—H contacts. In (III), the alkyl groups are more isolated within the molecular chains and the primary nonbonded contacts between the chains appear to involve the nitro groups not involved in the hydrogen bonding.     

Anisotropic Conductivity at the Single‐Molecule Scale

In most junctions built by wiring a single molecule between two electrodes, the electrons flow along only one axis: between the two anchoring groups. However, molecules can be anisotropic, and an orientation‐dependent conductance is expected. Here, we fabricated single‐molecule junctions by using the electrode potential to control the molecular orientation and access individual elements of the conductivity tensor. We measured the conductance in two directions, along the molecular plane as the benzene ring bridges two electrodes using anchoring groups (upright) and orthogonal to the molecular plane with the molecule lying flat on the substrate (planar). The perpendicular (planar) conductance is about 400 times higher than that along the molecular plane (upright). This offers a new method for designing a reversible room‐temperature single‐molecule electromechanical switch that controllably employs the electrode potential to orient the molecule in the junction in either “ON” or “OFF” conductance states.     

Amide hydrogen bonding: control of the molecular and extended structures of two symmetrical pyridine‐2‐carboxamide derivatives

The crystal structures of two symmetrical pyridine‐2‐carboxamides, namely N,N′‐(propane‐1,3‐diyl)bis(pyridine‐2‐carboxamide), C₁₅H₁₆N₄O₂, (I), and N,N′‐(butane‐1,4‐diyl)bis(pyridine‐2‐carboxamide), C₁₆H₁₈N₄O₂, (II), exhibit extended hydrogen‐bonded sequences involving their amide groups. In (I), conventional bifurcated amide–carbonyl (N—H)...O hydrogen bonding favours the formation of one‐dimensional chains, the axes of which run parallel to [001]. Unconventional bifurcated pyridine–carbonyl C—H...O hydrogen bonding links adjacent one‐dimensional chains to form a `porous' three‐dimensional lattice with interconnected, yet unfilled, voids of 60.6 (2) ų which combine into channels that run parallel to, and include, [001]. 4% of the unit‐cell volume of (I) is vacant. Compound (II) adopts a Z‐shaped conformation with inversion symmetry, and exhibits an extended structure comprising one‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded chains along [100] in which individual molecules are linked by complementary pairs of amide N—H...O hydrogen bonds. These hydrogen‐bonded chains interlock viaπ–π interactions between pyridine rings of neighbouring molecules to form sheets parallel with (010); each sheet is one Z‐shaped molecule thick and separated from the next sheet by the b‐axis dimension [7.2734 (4) Å].     

Addressing the Requirements of High‐Sensitivity Single‐Molecule Imaging of Low‐Copy‐Number Proteins in Bacteria

Single‐molecule fluorescence super‐resolution imaging and tracking provide nanometer‐scale information about subcellular protein positions and dynamics. These single‐molecule imaging experiments can be very powerful, but they are best suited to high‐copy number proteins where many measurements can be made sequentially in each cell. We describe artifacts associated with the challenge of imaging a protein expressed in only a few copies per cell. We image live Bacillus subtilis in a fluorescence microscope, and demonstrate that under standard single‐molecule imaging conditions, unlabeled B. subtilis cells display punctate red fluorescent spots indistinguishable from the few PAmCherry fluorescent protein single molecules under investigation. All Bacillus species investigated were strongly affected by this artifact, whereas we did not find a significant number of these background sources in two other species we investigated, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli. With single‐molecule resolution, we characterize the number, spatial distribution, and intensities of these impurity spots.     

Radical‐Enhanced Charge Transport in Single‐Molecule Phenothiazine Electrical Junctions

We studied the single‐molecule conductance through an acid oxidant triggered phenothiazine (PTZ‐) based radical junction using the mechanically controllable break junction technique. The electrical conductance of the radical state was enhanced by up to 200 times compared to the neutral state, with high stability lasting for at least two months and high junction formation probability at room‐temperature. Theoretical studies revealed that the conductance increase is due to a significant decrease of the HOMO–LUMO gap and also the enhanced transmission close to the HOMO orbital when the radical forms. The large conductance enhancement induced by the formation of the stable PTZ radical molecule will lead to promising applications in single‐molecule electronics and spintronics.     

Chiral crystals from an achiral molecule: 4,6‐di‐O‐benzyl‐1,3‐O‐benzylidene‐2‐O‐(4‐methoxybenzyl)‐myo‐5‐inosose

The title achiral compound, C₃₅H₃₄O₇, crystallizes in the chiral monoclinic space group P2₁. The molecules are densely packed to form a helical assembly along the crystallographic twofold screw axis via C—H...O and C—H...π interactions. Interestingly, the unit‐translated helical chains are loosely connected via a rather uncommon edge‐to‐edge Ph—H...H—Ph short contact (H...H = 2.33 Å).     

Facile synthesis of hyperbranched poly(p‐phenyleneethynylene‐alt‐m‐phenyleneethynylene) with narrow dispersity and high branching degree by sonogashira polymerization of an AB2 monomer

An AB₂ monomer PhBr₂  C  C  Ph  C  CH containing one acetylene group and two bromide groups was efficiently synthesized by a strategy based on the different reactivity between aromatic iodide and bromide in Sonogashira reaction. The Sonogashira polymerization of PhBr₂  C  C  Ph  C  CH was investigated to get hyperbranched poly(p‐phenyleneethynylene‐alt‐m‐phenyleneethynylene) (hb‐PMPE) in terms of the effects of monomer addition method, core molecule with different functionality, and ratio of [monomer]/[core molecule]. The results showed that narrow dispersities (D) (D: 1.23∼1.50) were obtained by slow monomer addition and with core molecule. Bifunctional core molecule induced narrower dispersity than monofunctional core molecule. The molecular weight of hb‐PMPE increased with increasing ratio of [monomer]/[core molecule], however, a negative deviation from calculated value was observed. The dispersity slightly increased with increasing [monomer]/[core molecule]. When the ratio of [monomer]/[core molecule] was below 50/1, monomodal distribution was observed; whereas when the ratio increased to 70/1, bimodal distribution was obtained. All the polymers showed degrees of branching (DBs) around 0.6. The hb‐PMPEs showed one major absorption band with λ_max around 330 nm, and emission band with λ_max around 390 nm. All the polymers showed relative quantum yields (Φ_r) above 0.5 in dilute THF solution. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 96–104     

Isoquinolin‐5‐amine

The title compound, C₉H₈N₂, presents two almost identical independent molecules in the asymmetric unit, both of them exhibiting an extremely planar isoquinoline core (maximum r.m.s. deviation = 0.014 Å). The most significant deviation is found in the –NH₂ groups, which present a noticeable pyramidalization around the N atom, a feature also present in related structures containing the molecule as a ligand. The supramolecular structure is based on pairs of parallel hydrogen‐bonded chains formed by just one molecular type each, defined by the strongest hydrogen bonds in the structure, which are of the N—H...N type. These parallel chains are linked into pairs (or strips) via weaker C—H...N hydrogen bonds. Related strips generated by the c‐glide plane define two families running along [10] and [110], giving rise to an interesting system of interwoven chains stabilized by a number of weaker contacts of the C—H...π type.