Preparation of ideal molecular junctions: depositing non-invasive gold contacts on molecularly modified silicon.

Recent advances in creating rectifying gold|monolayer|silicon (Au-M-Si) junctions (namely, molecular silicon diodes) are reviewed. It is known that direct deposition of gold contacts onto molecular monolayers covalently bonded to silicon surfaces causes notable disruption to the junction structure, resulting in deteriorated performance and poor reproducibility that are unsuitable for practical applications. In the past few years, several new experimental approaches have been explored to minimize or eliminate such damage, including the "indirect" evaporation method and the pre-deposition of a protective "non-penetrating" metal.

Synthesis of substituted alkoxy benzene minilibraries, for the discovery of new insect olfaction or gustation inhibitors.

We describe methods for the rapid generation of minilibraries of substituted alkoxy benzenes (consisting of 4-5 compounds), for screening as insect olfaction or gustation inhibitors. Synthetic or commercially available monoalkoxy benzene compounds were mixed and reacted with various alkyl halides to afford a first set of minilibraries. A second and third set were generated from allyloxy minilibraries via the Claisen rearrangement and subsequent alkylation of the ortho-allyl phenols.