SMALL 13, 1603675 (2017)

ISSN: 1613-6810, SCI

Chiral-Selective Formation of 1D Polymers Based on Ullmann-Type Coupling: The Role of the Metallic Substrate

Tuan Anh Pham, Bay V. Tran, Manh-Thuong Nguyen, and Meike Stöhr

The chiral-selective formation of 1D polymers from a prochiral molecule, namely, 6,12-dibromochrysene in dependence of the type of metal surface is demonstrated by a combined scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory study. Deposition of the chosen molecule on Au(111) held at room temperature leads to the formation of a 2D porous molecular network. Upon annealing at 200 °C, an achiral covalently linked polymer is formed on Au(111). On the other hand, a chiral Cu-coordinated polymer is spontaneously formed upon deposition of the molecules on Cu(111) held at room temperature. Importantly, it is found that the chiral-selectivity determines the possibility of obtaining graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). On Au(111), upon annealing at 350 °C or higher cyclo-dehydrogenation occurs transforming the achiral polymer into a GNR. In contrast, the chiral coordination polymer on Cu(111) cannot be converted into a GNR.

DOI: 10.1002/smll.201603675

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