Highly Ordered Surface Self-Assembly of Fe₄ Single Molecule Magnets.

Single molecule magnets (SMMs) have attracted considerable attention due to low-temperature magnetic hysteresis and fascinating quantum effects. The investigation of these properties requires the possibility to deposit well-defined monolayers or spatially isolated molecules within a well-controlled adsorption geometry. Here we present a successful fabrication of self-organized arrays of Fe4 SMMs on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) on Rh(111) as template.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of optimized inhibitors of the mitotic kinesin Kif18A.

The mitotic spindle, a highly dynamic structure composed of microtubules, mediates the segregation of the previously duplicated genome into the two nascent daughter cells. Errors in this process contribute to pathology including tumor formation. Key for the shape and function of the mitotic spindle are kinesins, molecular motor proteins that convert chemical energy into mechanical work.

Synthesis and photoswitching studies of OPE-embedded difurylperfluorocyclopentenes.

We report the synthesis and photochemical behavior of five photochromic molecular switches 7a-e with attached molecular wires based on differently substituted oligo(phenylene ethynylene) (OPE) building blocks. The switchable molecular wires 7a-e were built in a convergent approach from substituted iodotolans 6a-e and 1,2-bis(2-methyl-5-ethynylfuran-3-yl)perfluorocyclopentene 5 by 2-fold Sonogashira coupling. Compound 5 was prepared from the corresponding bis-aldehyde 2 by Wittig-type olefination with [PPh3CHBr2]Br·CH3CN, followed by elimination to the bromoalkyne under mild phase-transfer conditions at 0 °C.

Charge transport in azobenzene-based single-molecule junctions.

Azobenzene-derivative molecules change their conformation as a result of a cis-trans transition when exposed to ultraviolet or visible light irradiation and this is expected to induce a significant variation in the conductance of molecular devices. Despite extensive investigations carried out on this type of molecule, a detailed understanding of the charge transport for the two isomers is still lacking. We report a combined experimental and theoretical analysis of electron transport through azobenzene-derivative single-molecule break junctions with Au electrodes.

Current-voltage characteristics of single-molecule diarylethene junctions measured with adjustable gold electrodes in solution.

We report on an experimental analysis of the charge transport through sulfur-free photochromic molecular junctions. The conductance of individual molecules contacted with gold electrodes and the current-voltage characteristics of these junctions are measured in a mechanically controlled break-junction system at room temperature and in liquid environment. We compare the transport properties of a series of molecules, labeled TSC, MN, and 4Py, with the same switching core but varying side-arms and end-groups designed for providing the mechanical and electrical contact to the gold electrodes.