Influence of Peripheral Alkyl Groups on Junction Configurations in Single-Molecule Electronics.

The addition of a lateral alkyl chain is a well-known strategy to reduce π-stacked ensembles of molecules in solution, with the intention to minimize the interactions between the molecules' backbones. In this paper, we study whether this concept generalizes to single-molecule junctions by using a combination of mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ) measurements and clustering-based data analysis with two small series of model compounds decorated with various bulky groups. The systematic study suggests that introducing alkyl side chains also favors the formation of electrode-molecule configurations that are not observed in their absence, thereby inducing broadening of the conductance peak in the one-dimensional histograms.

Iron in a Cage: Fixation of a Fe(II)tpy Complex by Fourfold Interlinking.

The coordination sphere of the Fe(II) terpyridine complex 1 is rigidified by fourfold interlinking of both terpyridine ligands. Profiting from an octa-aldehyde precursor complex, the ideal dimensions of the interlinking structures are determined by reversible Schiff-base formation, before irreversible Wittig olefination provided the rigidified complex. Reversed-phase HPLC enables the isolation of the all-trans isomer of the Fe(II) terpyridine complex 1, which is fully characterized.

Improved Photostability of a Cu Complex by Macrocyclization of the Phenanthroline Ligands.

The development of molecular materials for conversion of solar energy into electricity and fuels is one of the most active research areas, in which the light absorber plays a key role. While copper(I)-bis(diimine) complexes [Cu (L) ] are considered as potent substitutes for [Ru (bpy) ] , they exhibit limited structural integrity as ligand loss by substitution can occur. In this article, we present a new concept to stabilize copper bis(phenanthroline) complexes by macrocyclization of the ligands which are preorganized around the Cu ion.

Mechanical Stabilization of Helical Chirality in a Macrocyclic Oligothiophene.

We introduce a design principle to stabilize helically chiral structures from an achiral tetrasubstituted [2.2]paracyclophane by integrating it into a macrocycle. The [2.

Chiral macrocyclic terpyridine complexes.

The syntheses of novel chiral M(ii) bis(terpyridine) cage complexes and are described. The extraordinary design of the precursors and allows perfect preorganization for the final closing step. Due to the rigidity of the spacers between the two terpyridine moieties, the two isolated enantiomers barely racemize at room temperature in solution.

Endovascular repair of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms: a valuable alternative?--Case report and review of literature.

While endovascular repair (ER) has become a routine procedure in the treatment of arteriosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysms with a suitable configuration, only rare reports of interventional treatment of inflammatory aortic abdominal aneurysms (IAAA) exist. We present a case study of a male patient with IAAA, who presented with inflammatory thickening involving the entire circumference of the aortic vessel wall. The MRI performed 8 months after successful ER demonstrated complete regression of vessel wall induration.