A Single‐Molecule Junction Based on a Covalent Organic Cage
As the applications of molecular cages hinge on their properties, understanding the true nature of the cage structures is imperative. Single-molecule conductance technique offered a unique opportunity to explore the property of an individual cage structure, yet the undefined cage-electrode connection remains challenging. Herein, we designed a new single-molecule junction based on covalent organic cages with sulfur atoms on the edges as defined anchor groups. Using scanning tunneling microscopy break junction method, the single-molecule conductance was found at 10<sup>-3.5</sup> G₀, indicating the formation of a stable junction by the cage. The investigation, combining control structures and theoretical studies, confirmed that the conductance signal originates from the connection between gold electrodes and sulfur atoms in adjacent benzothiadiazole groups. This well-defined connection allowed us to analyze electron transport within the cage structure, providing new insights into the property investigation of functional cages.
Authors
- Sai‐Sai Yan
- Daqiang Yuan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4627-072X)
- Dong Xiang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5632-6355)
- Baogui Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5153-5932)
- Kongzhao Su (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9557-6982)
- Qian‐Chong Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9701-0106)
- Miao Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6659-8733)
- Zhong‐Ning Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3589-3745)
- Lichuan Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9597-3037)
Institutions
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- Nankai University (CN)
- Zero to Three (US)
- Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter (CN)
- Tan Kah Kee Innovation Laboratory (CN)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- Xiamen Tobacco Industry (China) (CN)
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry
- Xiamen University of Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition
- Published
- 2025-06-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202507894
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Molecular Junctions and Nanostructures
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.73
Funders
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province
- Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Youth Innovation Promotion Association