A new molecular logic circuit with 4 bit input

In this work, to obtain a new molecular logic circuit with a 4-bit input, boradiazaindacene (BODIPY), spiropyran (SP) and imidazole derivatives were integrated within the same molecular skeleton. Cu2-1 ions, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid EDTA, and UV and VIS lights are specified as the 4 inputs. While the SP derivative switches to the merocyanine (ME) form under UV light, VIS light induces the reverse switching of the ME form to the SP form. It is known that the imidazole group is a good probe for Cu2+ ions. The fluorescence spectra of the functionalized BODIPY derivative are measured for the 16 possible cases of the 4-bit input. The corresponding truth table is prepared based on the obtained results. The Boolean algebra expressions are then simplified using the Karnaugh map, and finally, a new molecular logic circuit with a 4-bit input is obtained. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.