Mounting Freestanding Molecular Functions onto Surfaces: The Platform Approach

Abstract

A modular system has been developed to mount molecules upright onto metal surfaces in a well controlled geometry. The approach is based on a reactive platform (triazatriangulenium salt) with an electrophilic center. Functional molecules are attached via C-C bond formation. The distance from the surface can be varied by a spacer, and the distance of the functional units from each other by the size of the platform. Self-assembly of the parent triazaangulenium salt as well as the functionalized platforms on Au(111) surfaces results in stable, hexagonally ordered adlayers.