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Updated: Jan 26, 2026

Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers
Published on: September 19, 2017
Molecular multifunctionality preservation upon surface deposition for a chiral single-molecule magnet
Dmitri Mitcov1, Anders H Pedersen1, Marcel Ceccato1
1Department of Chemistry , University of Copenhagen , Universitetsparken 5 , DK-2100 , Copenhagen , Denmark .
A chiral, enneanuclear manganese(III)-based Single-Molecule Magnet was synthesized. This molecule retains its magnetic and optical properties when dissolved and when deposited on surfaces, showcasing its potential for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Coordination Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Magnetochemistry
Background:
- Single-Molecule Magnets (SMMs) are of interest for high-density data storage and quantum computing.
- Chirality in SMMs is crucial for potential applications in spintronics and molecular recognition.
- Developing robust chiral SMMs that maintain properties in different states is a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel chiral, enneanuclear manganese(III)-based Single-Molecule Magnet.
- To investigate the structural integrity and chirality retention of the SMM upon dissolution and surface deposition.
- To evaluate the simultaneous retention of Single-Molecule Magnet behavior and optical activity across different states.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and crystallographic analysis of the enneanuclear manganese complex [Mn9O4(Me-sao)6(L)3(MeO)3(MeOH)3]Cl.
- Chiral analysis using Circular Dichroism (CD) and Infrared (IR) spectroscopies.
- Characterization of surface-deposited species using Mass Spectrometry, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
- Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements to assess SMM behavior.
Main Results:
- A chiral, enneanuclear Mn(III) complex with a defect super-tetrahedron core was successfully synthesized and characterized.
- The compound exhibits chirality originating from the directional bridging of methylsalicylaldoxime ligands, leading to clockwise (1ΔΔ) or counter-clockwise (1ΛΛ) rotational configurations.
- Structural integrity and chirality were confirmed to be retained upon dissolution and deposition onto gold nanoparticles and surfaces.
- Simultaneous retention of Single-Molecule Magnet behavior and optical activity was observed in the solid state, solution, and surface-deposited forms.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized chiral Mn(III) enneanuclear complex is a robust Single-Molecule Magnet.
- This molecule demonstrates remarkable stability, maintaining both its magnetic and chiral properties in solution and when immobilized on surfaces.
- The findings open avenues for developing advanced chiral magnetic materials for potential applications in molecular spintronics and sensing.
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