Nanorings and rods interconnected by self-assembly mimicking an artificial network of neurons.

Molecular electronics based on structures ordered as neural networks emerges as the next evolutionary milestone in the construction of nanodevices with unprecedented applications. However, the straightforward formation of geometrically defined and interconnected nanostructures is crucial for the production of electronic circuitry nanoequivalents. Here we report on the molecularly fine-tuned self-assembly of tetrakis-Schiff base compounds into nanosized rings interconnected by unusually large nanorods providing a set of connections that mimic a biological network of neurons.

Oxidation of organoplatinum(II) by coordinated dimethylsulfoxide: metal-metal bonded, dinuclear, liquid-crystalline complexes of platinum(III).

Reaction of [PtCl(2)(dmso)(2)] with 2,5-(dialkoxyphenyl)pyridine in HOAc leads to a dinuclear, acetate-bridged, metal-metal bonded complex of platinum(III); dmso in the presence of acid is found to be responsible for the oxidation. The dimer is analogous structurally to Pd(III) dimers implicated in catalytic acetoxylation. Platinum dimers with longer alkoxy chains are shown to be unique examples of liquid crystals of platinum(III).