Branched Redox-Active Complexes for the Study of Novel Charge Transport Processes

The syntheses and electrochemical/optical properties of some branched and linear 1,1'-substituted ferrocene complexes for molecular electronics are described. Metal centers were extended (and where relevant, connected) by arylethynyl spacers functionalized with m-pyridyl, tert-butylthiol ((SBu)-Bu-t), and trimethylsilyl (TMS) moieties. Such systems provide two well-defined molecular pathways for electron transfer and hold interesting prospects for the study of new charge transport processes, such as quantum interference, local gating, and correlated hopping events.