Ferrocene: From the Perspective of Molecular Electronics

Abstract

Ferrocene has long been an object of fascination for organometallic chemists. Exhibiting high stability, interesting geometries, and exceptionally well‐defined redox chemistry, ferrocene has been adapted for a wide range of applications that span the breadth of the chemical sciences. This article specifically focuses on reviewing research where ferrocene has been applied in the field of molecular electronics. This begins with a discussion pertaining to the use of ferrocene in the formation of self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) and their applications in switching, rectification, sensors, and the construction of memory devices. Following this, a brief overview is provided on the lesser developed work performed to elucidate the properties of single ferrocene‐containing molecules. This article provides the reader with an overview of work that has been performed toward the understanding and development of ferrocene‐containing molecular electronic devices.