London Dispersion Directs On-Surface Self-Assembly of [121]Tetramantane Molecules.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 28846392.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1021/acsnano.7b05204.
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Abstract
London dispersion (LD) acts between all atoms and molecules in nature, but the role of LD interactions in the self-assembly of molecular layers is still poorly understood. In this study, direct visualization of single molecules using atomic force microscopy with CO-functionalized tips revealed the exact adsorption structures of bulky and highly polarizable [121]tetramantane molecules on Au(111) and Cu(111) surfaces. We determined the absolute molecular orientations of the completely sp<sup>3</sup>-hybridized tetramantanes on metal surfaces. Moreover, we demonstrate how LD drives this on-surface self-assembly of [121]tetramantane hydrocarbons, resulting in the formation of a highly ordered 2D lattice. Our experimental findings were underpinned by a systematic computational study, which allowed us to quantify the energies associated with LD interactions and to analyze intermolecular close contacts and attractions in detail.