Molecular Graph Paper. Issue 28 (9th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lindner, Marcin; Valášek, Michal; Mayor, Marcel; Frauhammer, Timo; Wulfhekel, Wulf; Gerhard, Lukas
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 56:Issue 28(2017)
• Page Start: 8290
• Page End: 8294
• Publication Date: 2017-06-09
• Subjects: nanostructures -- scanning probe microscopy -- self-assembly -- surface chemistry -- tetraphenylmethanes; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201703586
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: We present a self‐assembled template that consists of tetraphenylmethane derivatives and adopts a periodic lateral arrangement on a Au(111) surface with acetyl groups sticking out of the molecular film. By using the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope, these acetyl groups can be removed in a spatially controlled way without significantly affecting the remaining molecular assembly. The chemically modified molecules can be readily distinguished from the original ones such that information can be engraved in the molecular film. Both the modified nature of an individual molecule and the order of the molecular film are shown to persist at room temperature. The mesh size of this molecular graph paper can be tuned by varying the length of the molecular spacer so that writing and reading information on the nanoscale with variable letter sizes becomes possible. Abstract : Tetraphenylmethane derivatives adopt a periodic lateral arrangement on gold(111) surfaces with acetyl groups sticking out of the molecular film. These acetyl groups can be removed by using the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope in a spatially controlled way without significantly affecting the remaining molecular assembly. This approach can be used for writing and reading on the nanoscale.