Designing Cyclophane-Based Molecular Wire Sensors

We propose a model molecular wire sensor that can detect zerovalent chromium by a strong increase in conductance when included in a metal−molecule−metal junction. An essential part of the sensor is a paracyclophane unit that binds to the metal atom. The nature and the energies of the molecular orbitals change drastically after the complex is formed, resulting in a 10- to 12-fold increase in conductance.