Using a first principles approach, we study the electron transport properties of two molecules of length $2.5\mathrm{nm}$, which are the building blocks for a new class of molecular wires containing fluorenone units. We show that the presence of side groups attached to these units leads to Fano resonances close to the Fermi energy. As a consequence electron transport through the molecule can be controlled either by chemically modifying the side group, or by changing the conformation of the side group. This sensitivity, which is not present in Breit-Wigner resonances, opens up new possibilities for novel single-molecule sensors.

• Received 18 August 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.74.193306