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Surface Diffusion Aided by a Chirality Change of Self-Assembled Oligomers under 2D Confinement
Abhijit Bera1, Stefan Henkel2, Joel Mieres-Perez3
1Physikalische Chemie I, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|September 3, 2022
Summary
Researchers achieved reversible chirality switching in self-assembled molecular structures at low temperatures. This breakthrough enables new functional materials from supramolecular assemblies.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Surface Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Chirality switching in self-assembled molecular structures is key for functional materials.
- Strong intermolecular interactions typically hinder such transformations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an unusual approach for reversible chirality changes in self-assembled oligomers.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms of chirality switching in confined molecular systems.
Main Methods:
- Utilized variable-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (VT-STM).
- Supported findings with quantum mechanical calculations.
- Studied self-assembled chiral wheel-shaped oligomers of functionalized diazomethanes on Ag(111).
Main Results:
- Observed spontaneous chirality switching of oligomers at 130 K, a lower-than-expected temperature.
- Chirality changes were accompanied by slight center-of-mass shifts.
- Identical activation energies for chirality change and surface diffusion were determined.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated a novel method for controlling chirality in embedded self-assembled structures.
- The interplay between chirality change and surface diffusion governs the process.
- Opens possibilities for designing advanced functional materials from supramolecular assemblies.
