Enhancement and Templating of Ullmann Coupling by Adatoms

Abstract

In this article, we report on our recent studies of on-surface Ullmann coupling reaction and focus on the roles of the transition metals in the reaction. First, we examine the catalytic efficiencies of Cu, Au, Ag, Pt, and Pd. We analyze the bond formation yields when the reaction takes place in the presence of these metals. In particular, we determine the rate constants and activation energy of Cu- and Pd-catalyzed reactions. In the second part, we demonstrate a strategy of using metal coordination template to steer the reaction toward specific products.