A German research team has developed a new approach of insulating molecular wire by tying two loose carbon chains to a platinum capped conjugated polyyne, it has been reported.

Previous attempts to insulate wire and protect polymers from disruptive molecules had involved either using hollow cylinder-shaped molecules, through which wires were threaded, or immersing them in branched dendrimers.

These approaches were far from ideal since the coverage of the wire in these methods was not all encompassing and moreover sheaths of these kinds often contain reactive groups themselves.

However, according to a report in Chemistry World, the University of Erlangen-based team's method could offer greater insulation because when the chains are attached they form a double helix, which effectively shrink-wraps the polyyne core.

So far the new carbon helices have not been proven to be more effective protectors than existing sheaths, but do offer the advantage that they are unreactive.

Meanwhile, preliminary electrochemical tests have suggested that wires contained inside helices are more stable than unwrapped ones.

Sources:

Molecular beanpoles wrapped up, 04/07/07
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2007/July/04070701.asp

Carbon Chains Surrounded by sp3 Carbon Double Helices: Coordination-Driven Self-Assembly of Wirelike Pt(CC)nPt Moieties That Are Spanned by Two P(CH2)mP Linkages, 13/03/07
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jacsat/2007/129/i26/abs/ja0716103.html

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