Synthesis and preliminary testing of molecular wires and devices

Presented here are several convergent synthetic routes to conjugated oligo( phenylene ethynylene)s. Some of these oligomers are free of functional grou ps, while others possess donor groups, acceptor groups, porphyrin interiors , and other heterocyclic interiors for various potential transmission and d igital device applications. The syntheses of oligo(phenylene ethynylene)s w ith a variety of end groups for attachment to numerous metal probes and sur faces are presented. Some of the functionalized molecular systems showed li near, wirelike, current versus voltage (I(V)) responses, while others exhib ited nonlinear I(V) curves for negative differential resistance (NDR) and m olecular random access memory effects. Finally, the go syntheses of functio nalized oligomers are described that can form self-assembled monolayers on metallic electrodes that reduce the Schottky barriers. Information from the Schottky barrier studies can provide useful insight into molecular alligat or clip optimizations for molecular electronics.