biostudies-literature00490Tebikachew BECarlsbergfondetNatur og Univers, Det Frie Forskningsr???dStiftelsen f???r Strategisk ForskningEuropean Research CouncilU.S. Department of DefenseNational Science Foundation7094-7100https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5385524biostudies-literatureUnknown121(13)Integrating functional molecules into single-molecule devices is a key step toward the realization of future computing machines based on the smallest possible components. In this context, photoswitching molecules that can make a transition between high and low conductivity in response to light are attractive candidates. Here we present the synthesis and conductance properties of a new type of robust molecular photothermal switch based on the norbornadiene (NB)-quadricyclane (QC) system. The transport through the molecule in the ON state is dominated by a pathway through the π-conjugated system, which is no longer available when the system is switched to the OFF state. Interestingly, in the OFF state we find that the same pathway contributes only 12% to the transport properties. We attribute this observation to the strained tetrahedral geometry of the QC. These results challenge the prevailing assumption that current will simply flow through the shortest through-bond path in a molecule.The journal of physical chemistry. C, Nanomaterials and interfacesEffect of Ring Strain on the Charge Transport of a Robust Norbornadiene-Quadricyclane-Based Molecular Photoswitch.PMC5385524337221ERC StG SIMONEHihath JLi HBSolomon GCBorjesson KMoth-Poulsen KTebikachew BEPirrotta A49falseEffect of Ring Strain on the Charge Transport of a Robust Norbornadiene-Quadricyclane-Based Molecular Photoswitch.Integrating functional molecules into single-molecule devices is a key step toward the realization of future computing machines based on the smallest possible components. In this context, photoswitching molecules that can make a transition between high and low conductivity in response to light are attractive candidates. Here we present the synthesis and conductance properties of a new type of robust molecular photothermal switch based on the norbornadiene (NB)-quadricyclane (QC) system. The transport through the molecule in the ON state is dominated by a pathway through the π-conjugated system, which is no longer available when the system is switched to the OFF state. Interestingly, in the OFF state we find that the same pathway contributes only 12% to the transport properties. We attribute this observation to the strained tetrahedral geometry of the QC. These results challenge the prevailing assumption that current will simply flow through the shortest through-bond path in a molecule.2017-01-01T00:00:00Z2017 Apr2024-11-21T10:02:05.708Z2019-03-27T02:40:47ZS-EPMC53855242840896810.1021/acs.jpcc.7b00319