Synthesis of Metallopolymers and Direct Visualization of the Single Polymer Chain

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c00110
• Publication Date: 2020-03-09T22:17:50Z
• Authors: Zhikai Li; Yiming Li; Yiming Zhao; Heng Wang; Yuan Zhang; Bo Song; Xiaohong Li; Shuai Lu; Xin-Qi Hao; Saw-Wai Hla; Yingfeng Tu; Xiaopeng Li
• Keywords: Chain (unit); Single chain

During the past few decades, study of single polymer chain has attracted considerable attention with goal exploring structure–property relationship polymers. It still, however, remains challenging due to variability and low atomic resolution amorphous chain. Here, we demonstrated a new strategy visualize metallopolymer hexameric or trimeric supramolecule as repeat unit, in which Ru(II) strong coordination Fe(II) weak were combined together stepwise manner. With help ultrahigh-vacuum, low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (UHV-LT-STM) spectroscopy (STS), able directly both Fe(II), act staining reagents on units, thus providing detailed structural information for As such, direct visualization random is realized enhance characterization polymers at single-molecule level.