Naphthalocyanine

 ( Phthalocyanines ) 

Naphthalocyanine is a cross-shaped organic molecule consisting of 48 carbon, 8 nitrogen and 26 hydrogen atoms. It is a derivative of phthalocyanine, differing by having 4 extra carbon rings, one on each "arm." IBM Research labs used it for developing single-molecule logic switches and visualizing charge distribution in a single molecule.

Naphthalocyanine derivatives have a potential use in photodynamic cancer treatment.

• Timmer, J. (2007) Storing data in molecules: shifting atoms and flipping bits, ars technica online accessed