Active bis-ferrocene molecules as unit for molecular computation

Traditional logic gates are rapidly reaching the limits of miniaturization. Overheating of these components is no longer negligible. A new physical approach to the machine was proposed by Prof. C S. Lent “Molecular Quantum cellular automata”. Indeed the quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) approach offers an attractive alternative to diode or transistor devices. Th units encode binary information by two polarizations without corrent flow. The units for QCA theory are called QCA cells and can be realized in several way. Molecules can act as QCA cells at room temperature. In collaboration with STMicroelectronic, the group of Electrochemistry of Prof. Paolucci and the Nananotecnology laboratory from Lecce, we synthesized and studied with many techniques surface-active chiral bis-ferrocenes, conveniently designed in order to act as prototypical units for molecular computing devices. The chemistry of ferrocene has been studied thoroughly and found the opportunity to promote substitution reaction of a ferrocenyl alcohols with various nucleophiles without the aid of Lewis acid as catalysts. The only interaction between water and the two reagents is involve in the formation of a carbocation specie which is the true reactive species. We have generalized this concept to other benzyl alcohols which generating stabilized carbocations. Carbocation describe in Mayr’s scale were fondametal for our research. Finally, we used these alcohols to alkylate in enantioselective way aldehydes via organocatalysis.