ABSTRACT

This chapter reviews some of the main experimental and theoretical results in the field of single-molecule characterization of electron transport through redox adsorbates. Both redox metal-loproteins and co-factors have been object of intense investigation by EC-STM/STS techniques. Particularly, the paradigmatic case of the redox metalloprotein azurin and of derivatized quinone molecules adsorbed on atomically flat gold provide a valuable insight into the potential of the technique and into the attainable level of understanding of the electron transfer phenomenon. The results are discussed critically in view of their impact on the field of molecular electronics.