Multiple molecular logic functions and molecular calculations facilitated by surfactant's versatility

Two isomeric compounds 1 and 2, combining intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanisms together, were designed and used as logic gates with configurable multiple outputs; ten different logic functions (AND, NAND, OR, NOR, XNOR, INHIBIT, YES, NO, PASS 1 and PASS 0) were achieved by varying the inputs threshold or by altering the inputs; furthermore, half addition and half subtraction were performed within 2 (or 1); the concept demonstrated here may provide a strategy for constructing more integrated molecular level devices with multiple functions.