Aromatic and aromatic/heteroaromatic molecular structures with controllable electron conducting properties

Abstract

Aromatic and aromatic/heteroaromatic molecular structures with controllable electron conducting properties are derived from the incorporation of electron active substituents in selective positions.

1 . A conducting molecule according to Formula I, II, or III: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R is independently selected from the group consisting of: 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein A is independently selected from the group consisting of H, a C1-C6 alkyl group, F, —CN, and —S—C(═O)—CH 3 , wherein at least one of F, —CN, and —S—C(═O)—CH 3  is present; 
         and B is selected from the group consisting of: 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein B is optionally substituted with H, a C1-C6 alkyl group, F, —CN, —NO 2 , and —S—C(═O)—CH 3 . 
       
     
     
         2 . A conducting molecule according to  claim 1  selected from the group consisting of: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         3 . A molecular based memory system, molecular wire, or molecular switch, comprising a composition or either of  claim 1  or  claim 2 . 
     
     
         4 . A process for synthesizing a supramolecular structure comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a conducting molecule of any of  claims 1  or  2 ;   (b) providing a suitable substrate;   (c) contacting the conducting molecule of (a) with the substrate of (b) wherein the conducting molecule is immobilized on the substrate;   (d) contacting the immobilized conducting molecule of (c) with a redox or photochemical reagent under conditions wherein the immobilized conducting molecule is activated; and   (e) contacting the activated conducting molecule with the conducting molecule of step (a) wherein molecular addition takes place and a supramolecular structure is formed.   
     
     
         5 . A process according to  claim 4  wherein steps (d) and (e) are optionally repeated. 
     
     
         6 . A process according to  claim 4  wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of silicon wafers, synthetic polymer supports, glass, agarose, nitrocellulose, nylon, nickel grids or disks, carbon supports, aminosilane-treated silica, polylysine coated glass, mica, and semiconductors. 
     
     
         7 . A supramolecular structure synthesized by the process of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         8 . A sensor comprising a supramolecular structure synthesized by the process of  claim 4 .