Lorena Welte

Single layers of a multifunctional laminar Cu(I,II) coordination polymer

A multifunctional bidimensional mixed-valence copper coordination polymer [Cu2Br(IN)2]n (IN = isonicotinato) has been characterized in crystal phase and isolated on graphite surface as single sheets.

Highly conductive self-assembled nanoribbons of coordination polymers.

Organic molecules can self-assemble into well-ordered structures, but the conductance of these structures is limited, which is a disadvantage for applications in molecular electronics. Conductivity can be improved by using coordination polymers-in which metal centres are incorporated into a molecular backbone-and such structures have been used as molecular wires by self-assembling them into ordered films on metal surfaces. Here, we report electrically conductive nanoribbons of the coordination polymer [Pt(2)I(S(2)CCH(3))(4)](n) self-assembled on an insulating substrate by direct sublimation of polymer crystals. Conductance atomic force microscopy is used to probe the electrical characteristics of a few polymer chains ( approximately 10) within the nanoribbons. The observed currents exceed those previously sustained in organic and metal-organic molecules assembled on surfaces by several orders of magnitude and over much longer distances. These results, and the results of theoretical calculations based on density functional theory, confirm coordination polymers as candidate materials for applications in molecular electronics.

Synthesis of designed conductive one-dimensional coordination polymers of Ni(II) with 6-mercaptopurine and 6-thioguanine.

Calculations performed with the goal of designing suitable electrical conductive [M(6-MP)(2)](n) (M = transition metal, 6-MP = 6-mercaptopurinato) one-dimensional coordination polymers suggested that metal ions such as Ni(II) could provide suitable materials. In this work, direct hydrothermal reactions between 6-mercaptopurine (6-MPH) and the analogous 6-thioguanine (6-ThioGH) with NiSO(4).6H(2)O yield the compounds [Ni(6-MP)(2)](n).2nH(2)O [1] and [Ni(6-ThioG)(2)](n).2nH(2)O [2]. The X-ray structures confirm that both compounds present similar structures based on one-dimensional chains in which the deprotonated nucleobases act as the bridging ligands connecting the metal ions by short distances. Electrical measurements at room temperature confirm the conductor character of both coordination polymers. The small differences found in these measurements have been rationalized with the help of density functional theory calculations. Preliminary adsorption studies on surfaces for 1 have allowed characterization of single chains on mica and graphite. The results obtained suggest the potential use of coordination polymers on nanomaterials for molecular electronics.

Time-Dependence Structures of Coordination Network Wires in Solution

We present a mechanochemistry-based procedure to isolate individual chains on surfaces of a ruthenium MMX polymer. After sonication of solutions containing the two building blocks of the mentioned MMX polymer, time-depending structures are formed in the solution. The architecture of the different structures obtained in this process, as a function of the time, is monitored using atomic force microscopy. The resulting structures exhibit uniform subnanometer diameters over microns length, in agreement with the expected diameter for an individual polymer chain. From the atomic force microscope images, we infer a long persistence length for the linear structures. Finally, the effect of the temperature solution in the formation of the different structures is also addressed.

Covalent deposition of ferritin nanoparticles onto gold surfaces

Ferritin nanoparticles have been deposited immobilized onto a properly modified gold surface by specific covalent bonding through lysine rests at the ferritin external surface. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images confirmed the existence of a single ferritin monolayer. This is an easy and flexible route to form stable ferritin networks, which are covalently fixed to a gold substrate.

CCDC 751781: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: P.Amo-Ochoa, O.Castillo, S.S.Alexandre, L.Welte, P.J.de Pablo, M.I.Rodriguez-Tapiador, J.Gomez-Herrero, F.Zamora|2009|Inorg.Chem.|48|7931|doi:10.1021/ic900896w