A New Type of Molecular Conductor

A new type of two-dimensional metallic conductor, based upon a palladium dithiolene complex, has been shown to possess a novel structure involving short S–S contacts in two orthogonal directions, resulting in it having metallic properties down to 40K under high pressure. Studies of compounds of this type may lead to the development of materials for use in a chemical computer and a major programme in this area, to be known as the Molecular Electronics Research Initiative, is to be launched by the British government.