Electronic Properties of Helical Peptide Derivatives at a Single Molecular Level

Electron transfer in helical peptide systems which were self-assembled on gold is described in this chapter. Electron transfer mechanism for the long distance through helical peptides is explained by the electron hopping between amide bonds. When naphthyl groups were linearly arranged along the helix scaffold, the electron hopping between naphthyl groups via anion radical was also observed. The aromatic linker between gold and the peptide accelerated electron transfer in the molecular system, and an intervening redox species in the helix also promoted electron transfer. The effects of helix dipole moment on electron transfer are also discussed.