Molecular switches and logic gates for information processing, the bottom-up strategy: from silicon to carbon, from molecules to supermolecules

The chemistry of molecular logic gates is a new science, which arose in the late 20th century at the intersection of chemistry, physics, electronics and Boolean algebra. The molecular gates differ from the currently used semiconductor elements by small size, multifunctional nature and variability of input and output signals. The review considers molecular gate operation mechanisms and design algorithms based on the compound structure and properties. The criteria to be satisfied by a molecular system to function as a molecular logic gate are outlined. The experimental data on the modelling of functions of logic gates at the molecular level are critically analyzed. Particular attention is given to photonic molecular gates, which can operate without any connecting wires or added chemicals, unlike molecular gates with chemical inputs or semiconductor gates. The problems of further development of molecular logic gates and options for their solution are discussed.
The bibliography includes 218 references.