Unprecedented Self-Organized Monolayer of a Ru(II) Complex by Diazonium Electroreduction

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b04827
• Publication Date: 2016-07-19T03:48:38Z
• Authors: Van Quynh Nguyen; Xiaonan Sun; Frédéric Lafolet; Jean-Frédéric Aud...; Fabien Miomandre; Gilles Lemercier; Frédérique Loiseau; Jean-Christophe L...
• Keywords: [CHIM.ANAL]Chemical Sciences/Analytical chemistry; 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

A new heteroleptic polypyridyle Ru(II) complex was synthesized and deposited on surface by the diazonium electroreduction process. It yields to the covalent grafting of a monolayer. The functionalized surface was characterized by XPS, electrochemistry, AFM, and STM. A precise organization of the molecules within the monolayer is observed with parallel linear stripes separated by a distance of 3.8 nm corresponding to the lateral size of the molecule. Such organization suggests a strong cooperative process in the deposition process. This strategy is an original way to obtain well-controlled and stable functionalized surfaces for potential applications related to the photophysical properties of the grafted chromophore. As an exciting result, it is the first example of a self-organized monolayer (SOM) obtained using diazonium electroreduction.