Remotely triggered geometrical isomerization of a binuclear complex

J Am Chem Soc. 2014 Apr 30;136(17):6163-6. doi: 10.1021/ja500154g. Epub 2014 Apr 17.

Abstract

Binuclear organometallic molecules are model systems for investigating intramolecular spin-coupling and charge-transfer processes. Using electrospray ionization, Fe(salten) dimers linked by dipyridyl disulfide are deposited on gold for probing with a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope. Each monomer constitutes a multistable switch owing to its geometric isomerism. Controlled and reversible remote switching within a single dimer is demonstrated. The process is attributed to intramolecular electron transfer.