A Cascade Reaction Triggered by H-H Steric Hindrance: Dimeric Covalent
Organic Frameworks on Au(111) and Dimeric Nanoribbons on Ag(111)
Abstract
In on-surface synthesis, dimers are typically utilized to explore
reaction mechanisms or as intermediates in the formation of final
products. However, constructing the innovative nanostructures with
dimers as building blocks remains challenging. Here, using non-planar
2,2′,7,7′-tetrabromo-9,9′-biflurenyliden molecules, we have successfully
synthesized dimeric covalent organic frameworks (COFs) on the Au(111)
surface through a temperature-controlled cascade reaction. Notably, the
H-H steric hindrance within precursors caused by double bonds leads to
selective stepwise debromination during the thermal annealing, which
promotes the dimerization through intermolecular Ullmann coupling and
cyclodehydrogenation reaction to form COFs primarily constituted by
dimer building blocks. Combining scanning tunneling
microscopy/spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, we
have precisely confirmed the structural evolution and reaction
mechanism. Furthermore, by introducing Ag adatoms to form C−Ag−C
intermediates, we have successfully regulated the reaction path and
synthesized one-dimensional nanoribbons with dimers as building blocks.
This work not only validates the strategy of synthesizing dimeric
nanostructures on different surfaces through cascade reactions induced
by precursor design, but also enrich the research field of surface
synthesis of COFs and nanoribbons.