Abstract
The adsorption of ethyl pyruvate on Pt(111) at low temperature was investigated by XP and UP spectroscopy. The assignment of the photoelectron spectra was assisted by calculation of correlated ionization potentials. Comparison of the XP and UP spectra of the condensed and chemisorbed layer indicates a strong ethyl pyruvate adsorption bond in the latter. Upon chemisorption, the HOMO of ethyl pyruvate, which is a lone-pair orbital delocalized over both CO groups, is stabilized by about 0.7 eV with respect to the other orbitals, which is characteristic for a lone-pair bonding mechanism. The same bonding mechanism was found for coverages far below saturation. The XP spectra further indicate that the ketone CO is more strongly involved in the chemisorption bond than the carboxyl CO of ethyl pyruvate. The packing density of the saturated chemisorbed ethyl pyruvate layer, as determined by XPS, is high. This points toward an upright or tilted orientation of ethyl pyruvate in this layer, in line with the observed bonding mechanism.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
