Molecular QCA cells. 1. Structure and functionalization of an unsymmetrical dinuclear mixed-valence complex for surface binding.

Utilization of binary information encoded in the charge configuration of quantum-dot cells (the quantum-dot cellular automata, QCA, paradigm) requires molecule-sized dots for room temperature operation. Molecular QCA cells are mixed-valence complexes, and the evaluation and functionalization of an unsymmetrical heterobinuclear, two-dot, Fe-Ru molecular QCA cell is described. The solid state structures of trans-RuCl(dppm)(2)(C[triple bond]CFc) (1) (dppm = methylbis(diphenylphosphane), Fc = (eta(5)-C(5)H(5))Fe(eta(5)-C(5)H(4))) and mixed-valence [trans-RuCl(dppm)(2)(C[triple bond]CFc)][BF(4)] (1a) as well as XPS and spectroscopic data suggest class II behavior suitable for the intended application. Utilization of the trans-Cl position of 1 permits functionalization for surface binding. Two "tailed" complexes of 1, trans-Ru(dppm)(2)(C[triple bond]CFc)(C[triple bond]CPhOCH(3)) (2) and trans-[Ru(dppm)(2)(C[triple bond]CFc)(N[triple bond]CCH(2)CH(2)NH(2))][PF(6)] (3), have been prepared and characterized. The solid state structure of 3 and multinuclear NMR experiments define the structures. In addition, the spectroscopic properties of all complexes and their mixed-valence species are used to define the effect of the substituent "tail" on mixed-valence properties. Further, the electrochemistry of these compounds permits assessment of the extent of perturbation of the substituents on the comproportionation constants and overall electrochemical stability. The complexes possess properties necessary for candidate QCA molecules.