Synthesis of "Porphyrin-linker-Thiol" molecules with diverse linkers for studies of molecular-based information storage

The attachment of redox-active molecules such as porphyrins to an electroactive surface provides an attractive approach for electrically addressable molecular-based information storage. Porphyrins are readily attached to a gold surface via thiol linkers. The rate of electron transfer between the electroactive surface and the porphyrin is one of the key factors that dictates suitability for molecular-based memory storage. This rate depends on the type and length of the linker connecting the thiol unit to the porphyrin. We have developed different routes for the preparation of thiol-derivatized porphyrins with eight different linkers. Two sets of linkers explore the effects of linker length and conjugation, with one set comprising phenylethyne units and one set comprising alkyl units. One electron-deficient linker has four fluorine atoms attached directly to a thiophenyl unit. To facilitate the synthesis of the porphyrins, convenient routes have been developed to a wide range of aldehydes possessing a prote...