Perylenebisimide-based multi-modal cyanide recognition: molecular logic gate deciphering magnetic memory units

An electron-deficient perylenebisimide has been identified as the first example of a molecular Boolean logic gate having a magnetic signalling mechanism. Cyanide ions are used as external stimuli to execute the complex logic operations such as IMP (implication function) and INH (inhibition function) and it has been demonstrated that the performed operations can be monitored via both optical and electron paramagnetic signalling pathways. Particularly, the signalling mechanism is completely reversible and non-destructive. In comparison to the optical signalling pathway, the current sensing mechanism is shown to be highly efficient and sensitive.