Designing smart tunable molecular logic systems: A unified approach on unimolecular platform of anthraimidazolidione

An exclusive approach of building compliant molecular logic circuits on a unimolecular platform of anthraimidazoldione derivative is presented herein. We have used a charge-transfer-based chromogenic probe with imidazole and bispicolyl functionalities to do this, which allows for selective interaction with Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions in both organic and aqueous conditions. With clear hypochromic and bathochromic alterations in UV–visible absorption and fluorescence turn-on/off responses upon metal ion binding, the probe demonstrated dual-mode detection. Notably, the reusability of the probe was emphasized by the reversible nature of Cu²⁺ binding in the presence of CN⁻. To achieve the intended molecular integrated circuits, a number of MICs (Molecular Integrated Circuits) made up of adjustable individual binary trivial (NOR, OR, AND, etc.) and non-trivial (INHIBIT, TRANSFER, COMPLEMENT, etc.) logic gates were designed by analyzing those case-specific opto-chemical responses. Also, we have attempted to construct a solvent polarity tunable molecular logic system with a same set of chemical stimuli.