Strong correlations in highly electron-doped Zn(II)-DNA complexes

Phys Rev Lett. 2010 Apr 16;104(15):156804. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.156804. Epub 2010 Apr 15.

Abstract

We present spectroscopic measurements on the first example of a chemically electron-doped metal-DNA complex. We show that a doping level as high as the stoichiometric limit of one electron per base pair can be achieved. The doped unpaired electrons occupy lowest unoccupied molecular orbital levels of the nucleobases as detected with electron spin resonance and x-ray absorption near edge structure measurements. Delocalization and strong correlations between the unpaired electrons are evident from a temperature-independent spin susceptibility and a microwave conductivity above 100 K.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Electrons*
  • Organometallic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Temperature
  • Zinc / chemistry*

Substances

  • Organometallic Compounds
  • DNA
  • Zinc