On-surface synthesis of enetriynes

Belonging to the enyne family, enetriynes comprise a distinct electron-rich all-carbon bonding scheme. However, the lack of convenient synthesis protocols limits the associated application potential within, e.g., biochemistry and materials science. Herein we introduce a pathway for highly selective enetriyne formation via tetramerization of terminal alkynes on a Ag(100) surface. Taking advantage of a directing hydroxyl group, we steer molecular assembly and reaction processes on square lattices. Induced by O₂ exposure the terminal alkyne moieties deprotonate and organometallic bis-acetylide dimer arrays evolve. Upon subsequent thermal annealing tetrameric enetriyne-bridged compounds are generated in high yield, readily self-assembling into regular networks. We combine high-resolution scanning probe microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations to examine the structural features, bonding characteristics and the underlying reaction mechanism. Our study introduces an integrated strategy for the precise fabrication of functional enetriyne species, thus providing access to a distinct class of highly conjugated π-system compounds.