Electrochemically controlled multistability of ultrathin films of double-decker cerium phthalocyaninates

The spectral and electrochemical properties of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of homoleptic double-decker cerium bis-[tetra-15-crown-5]-phthalocyaninate Ce[R4Pc]2 and its heteroleptic analog [Pc]Ce[R4Pc] were studied. It was shown that during formation of Langmuir monolayers upon contact of both complexes solutions with water subphase the metal center with valent state IV in the solution transforms into one with the valent state III in the monolayer. Upon cyclic compression-expansion of these monolayers, orientation-induced reversible intramolecular transfers of electron from 4f orbital of cerium ion to the phthalocyanine macrocycle (compression) and in reverse direction (expansion) occur in a planar supramolecular system. Scheme of reversible electrochemical transformations occurring in ultrathin films of double-decker cerium crown-phthalocyaninates, one of which is associated with the Ce+3/Ce+4 redox-transition of metal center of the complex, was proposed and substantiated using the results of spectro-electrochemical investigations. It was shown that one of these transformations is associated with the Ce+3/Ce+4 redox transition of metal center of the complex and upon change of metal center oxidation state its size changes, and, consequently, the distance between the decks of the complex also changes. This change in the distance can lead to a substantial (13–15%) modulation of the linear size of molecular assemblies with a large number of molecules in stack. On the basis of this effect the supramolecular device that can perform mechanical work can be developed. Using surface plasmon resonance technique we have demonstrated that a step change in electrode potential in region of 200–1000 mV induces a corresponding optical response reflected in a step change of the resonance angle. High operation speed and reversibility of switching between stable states can serve as a basis for development of optoelectronic switching systems.