Title: Multicenter Bonds Based Quantum Interference in the Charge Transport Through Single‐Molecule Carborane Junctions

Authors: Chun Tang  Lijue Chen  Longyi Zhang  Zhixin Chen  Guopeng Li  Zhewei Yan  Luchun Lin  Junyang Liu  Longfeng Huang  Yiling Ye  Yuhui Hua  Jia Shi  Haiping Xia  Wenjing Hong

Abstract:

The molecular components are vital to introduce and manipulate quantum interference (QI) in the charge transport through molecular electronic devices. Up to now, the functional molecular units that show QI are mostly found in conventional π and σ bonds based systems, in this case, it is intriguing to study QI in multicenter bonding systems without both π‐ and σ‐conjugations. Here, we have demonstrated the presence of QI in multicenter bonds based systems for the first time, through the single‐molecule conductance investigation of carborane junctions. We find that all the three connectivities in carborane frameworks show different levels of destructive QI, which leads to highly suppressed single‐molecule conductance in para‐ and meta‐connected carboranes. The investigation of QI into carboranes provides a promising platform to fabricate molecular electronic devices based on multicenter bonds.

Full-Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.201904521