A ferrocene based switchable molecular folding ruler

Abstract

A 2,2′-bipyridine-appended bis(ferrocene) three tiered molecular folding ruler, can be switched from a folded conformation to an extended conformation by the addition of [Cu(CH3CN)4](PF6) and 6,6′-dimesityl-2,2′-bipyridine. This extension and contraction process could be triggered either chemically or electrochemically and was reversible.