Voltage-driven control of single-molecule keto-enol equilibrium in a two-terminal junction system.

ABSTRACT: Keto-enol tautomerism, describing an equilibrium involving two tautomers with distinctive structures, provides a promising platform for modulating nanoscale charge transport. However, such equilibria are generally dominated by the keto form, while a high isomerization barrier limits the transformation to the enol form, suggesting a considerable challenge to control the tautomerism. Here, we achieve single-molecule control of a keto-enol equilibrium at room temperature by using a strategy that combines redox control and electric field modulation. Based on the control of charge injection in the single-molecule junction, we could access charged potential energy surfaces with opposite thermodynamic driving forces, i.e., exhibiting a preference for the conducting enol form, while the isomerizat

SUBMITTER: Tang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10281950 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature