Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
07:53
Analysis of Complex Molecules and Their Reactions on Surfaces by Means of Cluster-Induced Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Published on: March 1, 2020
Charge delocalization induces reaction in molecular chains at a surface
1Lash Miller Chemical Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|November 28, 2012
Summary
Electron-induced reactions in dimethyldisulfide chains on gold cause bond breaking and formation. This study reveals concurrent reactions along the entire molecular chain, yielding altered bonds and thiyl radicals.
Area of Science:
- Surface Science
- Chemical Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Self-assembled molecular chains offer unique platforms for studying chemical reactions.
- Understanding electron-induced reactions is crucial for molecular electronics and catalysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular dynamics of electron-induced reactions in a chain of four dimethyldisulfide molecules on a gold surface.
- To elucidate the mechanism of bond breaking and formation during the reaction.
Main Methods:
- Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to study the reaction.
- The study focused on a specific system: dimethyldisulfide on Au(111).
Main Results:
- Charge delocalization was observed to weaken all sulfur-sulfur (S-S) bonds in the molecular chain.
- A concurrent reaction occurred along the entire chain, breaking all original S-S bonds.
- Three altered S-S bonds and two chemisorbed thiyl radicals were formed.
Conclusions:
- Electron-induced reactions can lead to collective behavior in molecular chains.
- The findings provide insights into the reactivity of molecular assemblies on surfaces.
- This work contributes to the fundamental understanding of electron-driven chemical transformations.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:09Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism
The radical chain-growth polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination of polymerization. The polymerization initiates when a free radical generated from the radical initiator adds to the unsaturated bond in the monomer. The unpaired electron of the free radical and one π electron in the unsaturated bond creates a σ bond between the free radical and the monomer. As a result, the other π electron in the unsaturated bond converts this species into the...
02:35Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes
The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.
00:57Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism
The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the generated carbocation,...
01:04Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism
The mechanism for anionic chain-growth polymerization involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. In the initiation step, a nucleophilic anion, such as butyl lithium, initiates the polymerization process by attacking the π bond of the vinylic monomer. As a result, a carbanion, stabilized by the electron‐withdrawing group, is generated. The resulting carbanion acts as a Michael donor in the propagation step and attacks the second vinylic monomer, which acts as a Michael acceptor.
01:29Chain Reactions
Chain reactions involve highly reactive transient species, such as atoms or free radicals, as intermediates. These intermediates facilitate rapid reactions over an extended period. The process includes a series of steps: a reactive intermediate is consumed, reactants are converted to products, and the intermediate is regenerated. This cycle enables continuous repetition, amplifying the production of products with a small amount of intermediate. Chain reactions often utilize free radicals as...
01:17Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching
The skeletal structure of polymers synthesized via radical polymerization is always branched. For example, the polymerization of ethylene by radical polymerization results in a low-density grade of polyethylene with a heavily branched skeletal structure. Here, the radical site abstracts hydrogen from the growing chain, and the radical site shifts from the end (a primary carbon center) to anywhere within the growing chain (a secondary carbon center). Consequently, the part of the chain from the...