文摘
Integration of simple logic gates into combinational circuits is a crucial step for the performance of arithmeticsystems and working automation. A half-subtractor has been reported in combination with a comparatorbased on the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) process resulting from hosting two different guests withthe binding of Zn2+ and the deprotonation of phenolic hydroxyl groups in an unimolecular system. Thecorresponding spectral shifts in absorption and a variation in fluorescence intensity were well elucidated. AnXOR (exclusive OR) logic gate generates the difference digit of the half-subtractor reading at 445 nm, andtwo INHIBIT logic gates, which are basically AND gates with one of the inputs inverted through a NOTfunction, are achieved for the borrow digit of the half-subtractor when the output signals are monitored at400 and 525 nm. Taken together, the comparison and subtraction operations are practically performed inparallel without mutual interference due to the same inputs and different outputs within the same moleculesystem.