Fluorescein as a model molecular calculator with reset capability

ABSTRACT The evolution of molecules capable of performing boolean operations1,2,3,4 has gone a long way since the inception of the first molecular AND5 logic gate, followed by other logic

functions, such as XOR6 and INHIBIT7, and has reached the stage where these tiny processors execute arithmetic calculations8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15. Molecular logic gates that process a variety

of chemical inputs can now be loaded with arrays of logic functions16, enabling even a single molecular species to execute distinct algebraic operations: addition and subtraction12.

However, unlike electronic or optical signals, the accumulation of chemical inputs prevents chemical arithmetic systems8,9,10,11,12 from resetting. Consequently, a set of solutions is

required to complete even the simplest arithmetic cycle. It has been suggested that these limitations can be overcome by washing off the input signals from solid supports8,9. An alternative

approach, which does not require solvent exchange or incorporation of bulk surfaces, is to reset the arithmetic system chemically. Ultimately, this is how some biological systems regenerate.

Here we report a highly efficient and exceptionally simple molecular arithmetic system based on a plain fluorescein dye, capable of performing a full scale of elementary addition and

subtraction algebraic operations. This system can be reset following each separate arithmetic step. The ability to selectively eradicate chemical inputs brings us closer to the realization

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M. J. Schmidt Minerva Center on Supramolecular Architecture and the Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Molecular Design is greatly acknowledged. A. S. holds the Siegfried and Irma Ulmann

professorial chair. AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Department of Organic Chemistry, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel David Margulies, Galina Melman 

& Abraham Shanzer Authors * David Margulies View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Galina Melman View author publications You can also

search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Abraham Shanzer View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Correspondence to

Abraham Shanzer. ETHICS DECLARATIONS COMPETING INTERESTS The authors declare no competing financial interests. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS

ARTICLE Margulies, D., Melman, G. & Shanzer, A. Fluorescein as a model molecular calculator with reset capability. _Nature Mater_ 4, 768–771 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat1469

Download citation * Received: 22 March 2005 * Accepted: 25 July 2005 * Published: 11 September 2005 * Issue Date: 01 October 2005 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat1469 SHARE THIS ARTICLE

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