Janus microspheres for visual assessment of molecular interconnects

Abstract

A rigid S-functionalized metalloligand is used to pair Janus Au-coated silica microspheres and the resulting assemblies are assessed with optical microscopy. New Pd complexes provide stable molecular interconnects, and the metal centre controls the structure of the linker and provides the desired rigidity, by virtue of its well-established coordination chemistry.

Keywords: coordination linkers; microspheres; molecular electronics; short-bite ligands; surface functionalization.