Influence of Molecular Configurations on the Desulfonylation Reactions on Metal Surfaces

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c08736
• Publication Date: 2022-11-16T15:08:23Z
• Authors: Junbo Wang; Kaifeng Niu; Chaojie Xu; Huaming Zhu; Honghe Ding; Dong Han; Yuanjing Zheng; Jiahao Xi; Sifan You; Chuan Deng; Haiping Lin; Johanna Rosen; Junfa Zhu; Jonas Björk; Qing Li; Lifeng Chi
• Keywords: Silver; Molecular Conformation; Gold; Adsorption; 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences

On-surface synthesis is a powerful methodology for the fabrication of low-dimensional functional materials. The precursor molecules usually anchor on different metal surfaces via similar configurations. activation energies are therefore solely determined by chemical activity respective surfaces. Here, we studied influence detailed adsorption configuration energy We systematically desulfonylation homocoupling molecular Au(111) and Ag(111) found that lower inert than Ag(111). Combining scanning tunneling microscopy observations, synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy measurements, density theory calculations, elucidate phenomenon arises from molecule–substrate interactions. precursors Au–S interactions, which lead to weakening phenyl–S bonds. On other hand, Ag–O resulting in lifting S atoms. As consequence, barrier reactions higher Ag(111), although silver generally more chemically active gold. Our study not only reports new type on-surface reaction but also clarifies configurations specific reactions.