Electrical Conductivity in Platinum-Dimer Columns

Three new compounds of formula [Pt-2(SSCR)(4)] (R = CH3, (CH2)(4)CH3, cyclohexyl) have been prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Their crystal structures consist of one-dimensional linear chains formed by stacking of the dimetallic complexes in which the alkyl group on the dithioacetate modulates the intermetallic distances between dimetallic entities. Direct current electrical conductivity studies show that crystals of the three compounds behave as semiconductors and their conductivity values are directly connected to the intermolecular metal-to-metal distances. These experimental results are supported by density functional theory calculations.