On-surface synthesis and characterization of nitrogen-substituted undecacenes
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
35082284
Abstract
Heteroatom substitution in acenes allows tailoring of their remarkable electronic properties, expected to include spin-polarization and magnetism for larger members of the acene family. Here, we present a strategy for the on-surface synthesis of three undecacene analogs substituted with four nitrogen atoms on an Au(111) substrate, by employing specifically designed diethano-bridged precursors. A similarly designed precursor is used to synthesize the pristine undecacene molecule. By comparing experimental features of scanning probe microscopy with ab initio simulations, we demonstrate that the ground state of the synthesized tetraazaundecacene has considerable open-shell character on Au(111). Additionally, we demonstrate that the electronegative nitrogen atoms induce a considerable shift in energy level alignment compared to the pristine undecacene, and that the introduction of hydro-aza groups causes local anti-aromaticity in the synthesized compounds. Our work provides access to the precise fabrication of nitrogen-substituted acenes and their analogs, potential building-blocks of organic electronics and spintronics, and a rich playground to explore π-electron correlation.
Date Issued
2022-01
Publication Type
Article
Subject(s)
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Eimre, Kristjan | |
Urgel, José I. | |
Hayashi, Hironobu | |
Di Giovannantonio, Marco | |
Ruffieux, Pascal | |
Sato, Shizuka | |
Otomo, Satoru | |
Chan, Yee Seng | |
Aratani, Naoki | |
Passerone, Daniele | |
Gröning, Oliver | |
Yamada, Hiroko | |
Pignedoli, Carlo A. |
Additional Credits
Journal
Nature Communications
Publisher
Springer Nature
ISSN
2041-1723
Access(Rights)
open.access