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Multi-functional organometallic switch
French chemists have created a multi-functional organometallic switch which can be triggered using either light or electric potential

10 Nov 2008 - Stéphane Rigaut, Corinne Lagrost, Karine Costuas and colleagues from CNRS-University of Rennes have prepared a photo/electrochromic multifunctional switching system, based on Irie's dithienylethene photochromic unit ([Cl(dppe)2Ru]+ where dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane). The switch is reversible, and a change of structure (corresponding to different physical properties) can be triggered both by light and by altering electric potential.
 
The organometallic ruthenium unit promotes a strong electronic coupling between the metal centers and the conjugated organic ligands. This leads to a molecular switch with multicolor electrochromism, electrocyclization at a remarkably low voltage, and photo/electro control of electronic communication within a molecular wire.
 
Original publication: Yifei Liu et al.; "A multifunctional organometallic switch with carbon-rich ruthenium and diarylethene units"; Chem. Commun., 2008.