Electrochemically Driven Sequential Machines: An Implementation of Copper Rotaxanes

Ganga Periyasamy, Jean-Paul Collin, Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Raphael D. Levine,  and Francoise Remacle

Chem. Eur. J.  15:  1310-1313, 2009.

We propose to use the redox states and ligand reorganization characteristics of a copper rotaxane mechanical machine[
2] to realize a finite-state machine, that is, a logic machine that possesses an integral memory unit.[3–7] These compounds
provide two definite advantages for the implementation of finite-state set–reset machines: 1) A large ligand reorganization
when the redox state of the Cu ion changes, which leads to a clear and reliably observable molecular hysteresis[8] and 2) a rate of reorganization comparable to the voltage sweep rate in cyclic voltammetry. We provide concrete experimental results and a simulation as proof of the principle of the operation of an all-electrochemical-cyclable finite-state machine.