Switches and Memory Components

Compound 31 was synthesized in an effort to form a SAM via the protected benzenethiol terminal group enabling the pyridyl end of the molecule to serve as a better top contact with metal than a phenyl when incorporated into a 

In addition to the pyridine containing systems, three potential memory and switching components terminated by diazonium salts were synthesized. 38 is analogous to the thioacetyl terminated NDR and memory component and the pyridyl terminated 24. The synthesis of 38 began by coupling 35 to 2,5- 

Starting from dinitro 41 and coupling aniline 35 afrbrded dinitrodianiline 42 that was subsequently diazotized to produce 43 in good yield. 

Many oligo(phenylene ethynylene)s containing reversibly reducible functionalities based on quinone and nitro cores have been synthesized. These molecules have methods of attachment to a metal surface ranging from the standard protected thiol groups to the novel diazonium and pyridyl linkages. Work is currently underway to examine the assembly of these various compounds on metal surfaces as well as their efficiency as switches and memory devices. 

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