title: A comparison of potential molecular wires as components for molecular electronics.
abstract: The field of electronics using single-molecule components has recently received much attention as a possible new design concept for the continued miniturisation of electronics. Molecular wires are the conceptually simplest components of such electronic systems and several different compound types have been used to produce molecular wires. Examples of some of the most promising families of molecular wires are presented, namely conjugated hydrocarbons, carbon nanotubes, porphyrin oligomers and DNA. Discussion centres around their potential use in functioning electronic architectures in terms of their electronic properties, ease and controllability of synthesis and potential for self-assembly.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, UK EH9 3JJ.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McGowan
mesh_terms: D020029:Base Pairing; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic / Q000737:chemistry; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000737:chemistry*; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; D011166:Porphyrins; D004247:DNA; D015032:Zinc