9,10-Dithioanthracene

9,10-Dithioanthracene (DTA) is an organic molecule and a derivative of anthracene with two thiol groups. In 2004 DTA molecules were demonstrated to be able to "walk" in a straight line (reportedly a first ) on a metal surface by, in effect, mimicking the bipedal motion of a human being.[1][2] The sulfur-bearing functional groups on either side (referred to as "linkers") serve as the molecule's "feet". When the compound is heated on a flat copper surface, the linkers raise up, alternating from side to side, and propel the molecule forward.

9,10-Dithioanthracene

Names
Preferred IUPAC name Anthracene-9,10-dithiol
Identifiers
CAS Number	86756-29-8 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	742334
PubChem CID	849498
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID10357294
InChI InChI=1S/C14H10S2/c15-13-9-5-1-2-6-10(9)14(16)12-8-4-3-7-11(12)13/h1-8,15-16H N Key: QHWTVIYSEHVEKU-UHFFFAOYSA-N N
SMILES SC1=C2C(C=CC=C2)=C(S)C3=CC=CC=C31
Properties
Chemical formula	C14H10S2
Molar mass	242.35 g·mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

During testing at UC Riverside's Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, the molecule took about 10,000 unassisted nano-scale steps, moving in a straight line without requiring the assistance of nano-rails or nano-grooves for guidance. As described by one of the researchers, "Similar to a human walking, where one foot is kept on the ground while the other moves forward and propels the body, our molecule always has one linker on a flat surface, which prevents the molecule from stumbling to the side or veering off course."[3][4] Researchers believe the project could lead to the development of molecular computers in which DTA or other similar molecules would function as nano-abacuses.