Photoinduced electron flow in a self-assembling supramolecular extension cable.

Ferrer, Belén; Rogez, Guillaume; Credi, Alberto; Ballardini, Roberto; Gandolfi, Maria Teresa; Balzani, Vincenzo; Liu, Yi; Tseng, Hsian-Rong et al. · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 2006

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We report the design, bottom-up construction, characterization, and operation of a supramolecular system capable of mimicking the function played by a macroscopic electrical extension cable. The system is made up of a light-powered electron source, an electron drain, and a cable as the molecular components programmed to self-assemble by means of two distinct plug/socket junctions. Such connections are reversible and can be operated independently by orthogonal chemical inputs. In the source-connector-drain supermolecule, photoinduced electron transfer from source to drain occurs, and it can be switched off by dual-mode chemically controlled disassembling of the molecular components.