Redox-Dependent Conformational Switching of Diphenylacetylenes

Herein we describe the design and synthesis of a redox-dependent single-molecule switch. Appending a ferrocene unit to a diphenylacetylene scaffold gives a redox-sensitive handle, which undergoes reversible one-electron oxidation, as demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry analysis. 1H-NMR spectroscopy o...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ian M. Jones, Peter C. Knipe, Thoe Michaelos, Sam Thompson, Andrew D. Hamilton
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2014-07-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/19/8/11316
Description
Summary:Herein we describe the design and synthesis of a redox-dependent single-molecule switch. Appending a ferrocene unit to a diphenylacetylene scaffold gives a redox-sensitive handle, which undergoes reversible one-electron oxidation, as demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry analysis. 1H-NMR spectroscopy of the partially oxidized switch and control compounds suggests that oxidation to the ferrocenium cation induces a change in hydrogen bonding interactions that results in a conformational switch.
ISSN:1420-3049