Light-Driven On-Surface Synthesis: Mechanisms, Strategies, and Architectures

Molecular on-surface photochemistry has emerged as a promising alternative to thermal activation for fabricating low-dimensional carbon-based nanomaterials, offering unique advantages such as non-thermal initiation and high chemoselectivity. Controlling the selectivity and efficiency of on-surface photoreactions remains challenging due to the complex interplay among molecular excitation pathways, substrate properties, and reaction conditions. This review briefly summarizes recent advances in light-driven on-surface synthesis under ultra-high-vacuum conditions. We focus on molecular photoexcitation pathways that can be probed by scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM and STS). Studies of light-driven reactions in three categories are overviewed, i.e., dehalogenative C-C coupling, [2+2] and [4+4] cycloadditions, and photoisomerization. Typical strategies for tuning reactivity are exemplified, including molecular pre-organization via self-assembly, surface passivation, and wavelength/polarization control. The summary of successful case studies may not only facilitate the fundamental understanding of on-surface photochemistry but also inspire the design of functional low-dimensional architectures and light-responsive molecular devices.