Applications, molecular electronics realization

Organosulfur compounds have been widely investigated among compounds of interest for the formation of self-assembled monolayers on gold [57]. The latter are relevant for a number of applications such as biosensing, nanopatterning and molecular electronic devices. The study of fundamental processes in the formation of SAMNs of organosulfur compounds is of primary importance to realize functional molecular layers. 

A very recent research line is the initiation and investigation of chemical reactions at surfaces for the fabrication of oligomeric/polymeric nanostructures from molecular monomers and thereby, going from supramolecular to covalent interactions. The prospect of obtaining molecular structures with improved mechanical stability as well as intermolecular charge transport by interlinking the monomeric units is very exciting. Moreover, there are clear indications that this research field will pave the way toward the realization of robust and functional molecular nanostructures for future applications in (molecular) electronics, sensors, catalysis, and so on. 

As logical as this diagnostic method is, one needs to realize its lack of absolute applicability. The observed magnitude of the kinetic isotopic effect is not great, and the aforementioned statement of independence of the electron affinity from the increase in molecular mass of the substrate is not obvious. This postulate should be proved in each case. Benzophenone, taken as an isotopic mixture of C=0 and C=0 gives a mixture of anion-radicals with a decreased proportion of C=0 isotomer when reduced with potassium in HMPA (Stevenson et al. 1987b). In effect, this means that for the heavier isotopomer of benzophenone, the electron affinity is smaller. 

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