Electron transfer through coordination bond interaction between single molecules: conductance switching by a metal ion

Abstract

Molecular tips were used to investigate electron transfer through metal-coordination bonds between single molecules. Coordination of a single metal ion to two carboxylate-terminated thiolate molecules formed a sandwich-type single molecular junction. It was found that a favorable charge transfer is induced through such molecular junctions. The electron transfer facilitated by metal coordination was utilized to implement conductance switching in a molecular junction of a head-to-head pyridine dimer. The present research offers a method to control electronic functions required in the construction of functional electronic molecular devices.