Abstract
The adsorption of complex organic molecules at a metal surfaceprovides a means of introducing the ultimate selectivity function ofchirality to a metal surface. Here, the adsorption ofR, R-tartaric acid (R standing for rectus), which possessestwo chiral centres, on a Cu(110) surface is reviewed. Using acombination of vibrational, surface diffraction, and scanning probemicroscopy techniques, a detailed molecular picture of theorganic/metal interface has been constructed. This reveals that anumber of different phases can be created which vary in terms of thelocal chemistry and bonding of the organic unit and in terms of thelong-range-ordered architectures that are created. Of the variousphases created, two possess the special quality of extendedchirality, where a truly chiral surface which is non-superimposableon its mirror image, is created. Three constraints are shown to beimportant for sustaining a single chiral domain across the entiresurface: local chirality of the adsorbate, a rigid and definedadsorption geometry, and the presence of anisotropic lateralinteractions.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have