Functional molecular element and functional molecular device

Abstract

A functional molecular element whose functions can be controlled by an electric field based on a new principle. A Lewis base molecule () with positive permittivity anisotropy or a dipole moment in the major axis direction of the molecule is disposed, via a metal ion () that can act as a Lewis acid, in a pendant-like form on a key molecule () in the form of a line or film that has a conjugated system and exhibits conductivity, thereby forming a functional molecular elementthat can realize a function where the conformation changes due to the application of an electric field. The conductive key molecule () and the Lewis base molecule () form a complex with the metal ion (). When an electric field is applied in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG.(), for example, the Lewis base molecule () performs a 90° 'neck twisting' movement with the up-down direction in the drawing as the axis. Also, when an electric field is applied in the up-down direction in the drawing as shown in FIG.(), the Lewis base molecule () performs a 'see-saw' movement with the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper as the axis, thereby switching the conductivity of the conductive key molecule ().