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Molecular redox switches based on chemical triggering of iron translocation in triple-stranded helical complexes

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Abstract

THEgrowing interest in miniaturization of electronic components is stimulating research on molecular assemblies with device-like functionalities1–5. Molecule-based devices have been reported that might act as sensors6–8, diodes9–11, logic gates12 and switches5,13–19. Molecular switches should ideally be able to respond controllably and reversibly to external triggers7,12,14,15,20,21. Here we report the synthesis of molecular redox switches based on helical metal complexes22–29 in which an iron ion can occupy one of two distinct binding cavities. Reversible translocation of the metal ion between these sites is achieved by chemical oxidation and reduction, owing to the different coordination preferences of the Fe(ii) and Fe(ni) states, and can be readily monitored spectroscopically.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Organic Chemistry, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel

    Lior Zelikovich, Jacqueline Libman & Abraham Shanzer

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  1. Lior Zelikovich
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  2. Jacqueline Libman
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  3. Abraham Shanzer
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Zelikovich, L., Libman, J. & Shanzer, A. Molecular redox switches based on chemical triggering of iron translocation in triple-stranded helical complexes. Nature 374, 790–792 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/374790a0

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