Anhydride Groups Research Articles

Flexible molecules dedicate to release strain of inverted inorganic perovskite solar cell

The tensile strain in inorganic perovskite films induced by thermal annealing is one of the primary factors contributing to the inefficiency and instability of inorganic perovskite solar cells (IPSCs), which reduces the defect formation energy. Here, a flexible molecule 5-maleimidovaleric acid (5-MVA) was introduced as a strain buffer to release the residual strain of CsPbI2.85Br0.15 perovskite. Maleic anhydride and carboxyl groups in 5-MVA interact strongly with the uncoordinated Pb2+ through Lewis acid-base reaction, thus tightly “pull” the perovskite lattice. The in-between soft carbon chain increased the structural flexibility of CsPbI2.85Br0.15 perovskite materials, which effectively relieved the intrinsic internal strain of CsPbI2.85Br0.15, resisted the corrosion of external strain, and also reduced the formation of defects such as VI and Pb0. In addition, the introduction of 5-MVA improved crystal quality, passivated residual defects, and narrowed energy level barriers. Eventually, power conversion efficiency (PCE) of NiOx-based inverted IPSCs increased from 19.25% to 20.82% with the open-circuit voltage enhanced from 1.164 V to 1.230 V. The release of strain also improved the stability of CsPbI2.85Br0.15 perovskite films and devices.

Low volume shrinkage, alkaline degradable UV nanoimprint lithography resists based on acrylic anhydride.

The shrinkage phenomenon of UV-NIL resists during photocuring is still regarded as an important problem hindering the wide application of UV-NIL technology. Herein, we designed four degradable UV-NIL resists with low volume shrinkage rate based on acrylic anhydride. Acrylate provided quick UV curing ability, and the resists were completely cured under a 365 nm UV light for 10 seconds. The anhydride group provided a degradation ability, causing the cured resists to be completely dissolved in an alkaline developer. Introducing rings in the molecular structure could compensate for volume shrinkage by ring-opening, and the volume shrinkage rate of the resists was below 4%. The cured resists showed good thermal stability with a decomposition temperature higher than 150 °C. The UV-NIL resists demonstrated good pattern replication ability, and distinct patterns with 100 nm resolution were obtained. The prepared UV-NIL resists are expected to play a role in the manufacturing of semiconductors, solar cells, displays, sensors, and other devices in the future.

Вy-products of petrochemical industries for the synthesis of reactive hydrocarbon resins

The article proposes the use of peroxide initiators for the synthesis of reactive hydrocarbon oligomers with anhydride and carboxyl groups based on hydrocarbon fractions C5–9. Effective initiators of the process were selected, which made it possible to obtain high yields of co-oligomers. Ways of practical application of the synthesized co-oligomers were investigated. The possibility of using reactive co-oligomers for the production of polymeric protective materials and composite materials with specified properties is proposed. Functional groups and double bonds improve the physico-mechanical (adhesion, strength, stability) and chemical (acid number, saponification number) properties of the obtained hydrocarbon oligomers.

Environmentally friendly approaches for tailoring interfacial adhesion and mechanical performance of biocomposites based on poly(lactic acid)/rice straw.

In the present research, plant-based biocomposites containing poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and rice straw (RS) as an annually renewable agricultural waste were studied. To enhance the properties of these filled systems, two environmentally friendly pulping methods were applied to remove the non-cellulosic components of RS and fibrillate the fibers. In addition, two reactive compatibilizers based on functional epoxy and maleic anhydride groups were incorporated into the biocomposites, using a reactive extrusion process. By pulping the RS fibers and modifying the PLA/lignocellulosic filler interface, the plant-based biocomposites with enhanced performance were attained. Furthermore, the elastic modulus, tensile strength, tensile toughness, impact strength, hardness, density and Vicat softening point of PLA and filled PLA system with untreated RS were improved. The impact resistance, tensile strength and elastic modulus of neat PLA were enhanced by 40%, 160% and 100% for the modified biocomposites containing the environmentally friendly RS pulps. The obtained results showed that, these biocomposites had even higher mechanical performance than the PLA biocomposites containing RS pulp obtained through common soda-pulping method. The reasons behind these improvements are the partial pulping of RS, as well as the chain extension of PLA macromolecules and PLA grafting onto the lignocellulosic fiber surfaces induced by the reactive compatibilizers.

Engineering bio-inert and thermostable poly(vinylidene difluoride) membranes by grafting thermal-tolerant copolymers via ring-opening reaction

This study explores the development of a thermostable and bio-inert PVDF membrane by grafting poly(acrylamide-r-N-vinylpyrrolidone) (P(AA-r-NVP)) onto a styrene-co-maleic anhydride (SMA)-functionalized PVDF substrate. The fabrication process involved blending SMA into the PVDF matrix followed by vapor-induced phase separation process to form the porous membrane. P(AA-r-NVP) was then grafted onto the membrane through the ring-opening of maleic anhydride groups. Characterization through ATR-FTIR and XPS confirmed successful surface modification. Antifouling performance of the membranes were assessed through bacterial adhesion tests before and after steam sterilization. Before sterilization, SMA3_A3V7 effectively resisted up to 97 % of E. coli adhesion. After steam sterilization, SMA3_A3V7 demonstrated excellent thermal stability, with a minimal 1.25 % increase in bacterial adhesion, compared to a 250 % increase in the unmodified PVDF membrane. These findings feature the effectiveness of utilizing SMA in simplifying the grafting process and the contribution of the thermostable and bio-inert polymer in imparting high-temperature resistance and antifouling resistance to the membrane, enabling versatile applications.

Evaluation of the tribological performance and oxidative stability of a bi-functional lubricating oil additive prepared from corn cob extract

To meet the requirements of a circular economy, a class of sulfur- and phosphorus-free green bifunctional lubricating oil additives was developed based on corn cob extract as a naturally renewable biomass material. These additives can significantly enhance the friction-reducing, anti-wear properties, and oxidative stability of base oils. Results indicate that at an addition level of 4000 ppm, ternary polymer additive reduced the wear volume and surface roughness of steel friction pairs by 98.17 % and 97.63 %, respectively, and increased the oxidation induction period by 40.52 %. The improvement in tribological performance is attributed to the rigid ring structure preventing direct contact between friction pairs, and the chemical adsorption of carboxylic acid and anhydride groups with the metal, forming a dense friction film.

Functionalization and Repurposing of Polypropylene to a Thermoset Polyurethane.

Developing effective recycling pathways for polyolefin waste, enabling a move to a circular economy, is an imperative that must be met. Postuse modification has shown promising results in upcycling polyolefins, removing the limitation of inertness, and improving the final physical properties of the recycled material while extending its useful lifetime. Grafting of maleic anhydride groups to polypropylene is an established industrial process that enhances its reactivity and provides a convenient route to further functionalization and upcycling. In this work, maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene was hydroxylated and subsequently cured with a diisocyanate to form a thermoset polyurethane (PU). The crystal structure (unit cell and lamellar structure) of the polypropylene (PP) was preserved in the PU. At room temperature, the PU showed a high modulus due to the crystallization behavior of the PP; upon increasing the temperature above the melting temperature, the modulus decreased to a rubbery plateau, consistent with formation of a network. The resulting PU showed a higher glass transition temperature and lower degree of crystallinity than its PP predecessor due to the crosslinked nature of the polymer. The mechanical integrity of the PU was maintained through several reprocessing cycles due to the melt processability enabled by the presence of a urethane exchange catalyst. This functionalization and upcycling route thus offers a promising alternative to repurposing PP waste in which the creation of melt-processable thermoset polymers expands applications for the materials.

The Coordination of Aluminum Sulfate with a Water-Soluble Block Copolymer Containing Carboxyl, Amide, Sulfonic and Anhydride Groups Providing Both Accelerating and Hardening Effects in Cement Setting

Two water-soluble block copolymers composed of acrylic acid (AA), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS), and optionally maleic anhydride (MAH) were synthesized through ammonium persulfate-catalyzed free radical polymerization in water. The introduction of aluminum sulfate (AS) into the resulting mixtures significantly reduced the setting times of the paste and enhanced the mechanical strength of the mortar compared to both the additive-free control and experiments facilitated solely by pure AS. This improvement was primarily attributed to the inhibition of rapid Al3+ hydrolysis, which was achieved through coordination of the synthesized block copolymers, along with the formation of newly identified hydrolytic intermediates. Notably, the ternary copolymer (AA–AMPS–MAH) exhibited superior performance compared to that of the binary copolymer (AA–AMPS). In the early stages of cement setting, clusters of ettringite (AFt) were found to be immobilized over newly detected linkage phases, including unusual calcium silicate hydrate and epistilbite. In contrast to the well-documented role of polymers in retarding cement hydration, this study presents a novel approach by providing both accelerating and hardening agents for cement setting, which has significant implications for the future design of cement additives.

PH-Triggered, Lymph Node Focused Immunodrug Release by Polymeric 2-Propionic-3-Methyl-maleic Anhydrides with Cholesteryl End Groups.

Gaining spatial control over innate immune activation is of great relevance during vaccine delivery and anticancer therapy, where one aims at activating immune cells at draining lymphoid tissue while avoiding systemic off-target innate immune activation. Lipid-polymer amphiphiles show high tendency to drain to lymphoid tissue upon local administration. Here, pH-sensitive, cholesteryl end group functionalized polymers as stimuli-responsive carriers are introduced for controlled immunoactivation of draining lymph nodes. Methacrylamide-based monomers bearing pendant 2-propionic-3-methylmaleic anhydride groups are polymerized by Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) polymerization using a cholesterol chain-transfer agent (chol-CTA). The amine-reactive anhydrides are conjugated with various amines, however, while primary amines afforded irreversible imides, secondary amines provided pH-responsive conjugates that are released upon acidification. This can be applied to fluorescent dyes for irreversibly carrier labeling or immunostimulatory Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonists as cargos for pH-responsive delivery. Hydrophilization of remaining anhydride repeating units with short PEG-chains yielded cholesteryl-polymer amphiphiles that showed efficient cellular uptake and increased drug release at endosomal pH. Moreover, reversibly conjugated TLR 7/8 agonist amphiphiles efficiently drained to lymph nodes and increased the number of effectively maturated antigen-presenting cells after subcutaneous injection in vivo. Consequently, cholesteryl-linked methacrylamide-based polymers with pH-sensitive 2-propionic-3-methylmaleic anhydride side groups provide ideal features for immunodrug delivery.

Effect of degree of substitution of octenyl succinate on starch micelles for synthesis and stability of selenium nanoparticles: Towards selenium supplements

To develop a promising selenium supplement that overcomes the instability and poor water dispersibility of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), we synthesized a series of amphiphilic octenyl succinic anhydride starch (OSAS) through esterification. As the degree of substitution (DS) increased, the particle size of OSAS micelles and the critical micelle concentration (CMC) decreased. FTIR and XRD analysis confirmed the successful introduction of octenyl succinic anhydride groups onto starch. Subsequently, OSAS micelles were used as carriers to synthesize SeNPs via in situ chemical reduction, forming SeNPs-loaded self-assembled starch nano-micelles (OSAS-SeNPs). The OSAS-SeNPs exhibited spherical dispersion in water with an average diameter of 116.1 ± 2.3 nm, contributed to enhanced hydrophobic interactions. TEM images showed a core-shell structure with SeNPs as the core and OSAS as the shell. FTIR results indicated hydrogen bonding interactions between OSAS and SeNPs. Due to the negatively charged OSAS shell and hydrogen bonding (OH⋯Se), OSAS-SeNPs remained non-aggregated for one month at room temperature, demonstrating remarkable stability. This study suggests that using OSAS can address the synthesis and stability issues of SeNPs, making it a potential selenium supplement candidate for further evaluation as an anticancer agent.

Synergistic Reinforcement with SEBS-g-MAH for Enhanced Thermal Stability and Processability in GO/rGO-Filled PC/ABS Composites.

The integration of compatibilisers with thermoplastics has revolutionised the field of polymer composites, enhancing their mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties. This study investigates the synergistic effects of incorporating SEBS-g-MAH on the mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene/graphene oxide (PC/ABS/GO) (PAGO) and the properties of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene/graphene oxide (PC/ABS/rGO) (PArGO) composites through the melt blending method. The synergistic effects on thermal stability and processability were analysed by using thermogravimetry (TGA), melt flow index (MFI), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The addition of SEBS-g-MAH improved the elongation at break (EB) of PAGO and PArGO up to 33% and 73%, respectively, compared to the uncompatibilised composites. The impact strength of PAGO was synergistically enhanced by 75% with the incorporation of 5 phr SEBS-g-MAH. A thermal analysis revealed that SEBS-g-MAH improved the thermal stability of the composites, with an increase in the degradation temperature (T80%) of up to 17% for PAGO at 1 phr SEBS-g-MAH loading. The compatibilising effect of SEBS-g-MAH was confirmed by FTIR analysis, which indicated interactions between the maleic anhydride groups and the PC/ABS matrix and GO/rGO fillers. The rheological measurements showed that the incorporation of SEBS-g-MAH enhanced the melt flowability (MFI) of the composites, with a maximum increase of 38% observed for PC/ABS. These results demonstrate the potential of SEBS-g-MAH as a compatibiliser for improving the unnotched impact strength (mechanical), thermal, and rheological properties of PC/ABS/GO and PC/ABS/rGO composites, achieving a synergistic effect.

Uniformly sized and self‐assembled maleic anhydride/vinyl acetate/acrylamide terpolymer core–shell nanoparticles fabricated by self‐stabilized precipitation polymerization

AbstractCopolymer particles containing anhydride and amide groups are widely utilized in oilfields and medication releases because of their high specific surface area, excellent biocompatibility, and water solubility. Here, the self‐stabilized precipitation (2SP) method was used to create maleic anhydride (MAH)/vinyl acetate (VAc)/acrylamide (AM) terpolymer (PMVA) microspheres. Terpolymer composition was highly dependent on monomer feed ratio and microspheres with diameters in the range of about 228–1048 nm could be prepared by altering reaction parameters. Notably, AM was consumed completely within a short period of time owing to high monomer reactivity, MAH and VAc continuing to copolymerize in an alternating manner. Thus self‐assembled core–shell particle with poly(MAH‐co‐VAc‐co‐AM) as core and poly(MAH‐alt‐VAc) as shell (PMVA@PMV) was readily achieved. PMVA particles can be scaled up to application platforms of hydrogel, oil recovery, and scale inhibition. Meanwhile, this contribution broadened the preparation process of core–shell material and can be applied to interface materials by simple modification.

Study of breakdown properties of SMA/MPPO composites

To improve the processability of polyphenylene oxide (PPO) and enhance its breakdown resistance, polystyrene (PS) with a mass fraction of 30% was added to PPO for blending modification, so that the melt flow rate of the modified polyphenylene oxide (MPPO) was increased to 14.8 g/10 min. Then the styrene maleic anhydride (SMA)/MPPO composites were prepared by melt blending and injection molding by adding different contents of SMA copolymer. The results showed that the anhydride group in SMA is grafted with PPO to form SMA-g-PPO copolymer, resulting in improved compatibility between PPO and PS. The best performance of the composites was obtained at a SMA content of 1 wt.%, with a DC breakdown strength of 24.6 kV·mm−1, which was 37.4% higher than that of MPPO, and an impact strength of 33.6 kJ·m−2, which was 18.7% higher than that of MPPO. The temperatures Td and T 50 corresponding to 1% and 50% mass loss increased by 46.15 °C and 11.48 °C, respectively, when the temperature was increased by 10 °C/min in the nitrogen atmosphere.

Itaconic anhydride functionalized cyanoethyl cellulose with crosslinked structure enabled improved dielectric properties

AbstractAs a type of cellulose ether, cyanoethyl cellulose (CEC) is considered to be a promising candidate for polymer dielectrics due to its sustainable nature and high dielectric constant induced by the cyano groups. However, the relatively high conduction loss of CEC arising from the charge motion across the polymer degrades its dielectric properties. In this work, we designed and synthesized an all‐organic polymer composite of CEC/itaconic anhydride (ITA) to improve dielectric properties. The CEC matrix was graft functionalized by ITA via an esterification reaction between the anhydride groups of ITA and hydroxyl groups of CEC. Meanwhile, crosslinking structure was also established in the composite by the generation of diester. Significantly improved dielectric constant (εr), elevated breakdown strength (Eb), restrained dielectric loss (tan δ) and decreased conductivity (σ) were observed in the composites compared with unmodified CEC. The εr increased from 17 for pure CEC to 32 for CEC/ITA at 1 kHz, and Eb also soared from 145 MV m−1 for CEC to 226 MV m−1 for the composite. The tan δ reduced from 0.24 for pure CEC to about 0.05 for the composite at 100 Hz. This should be attributed to the molecule trapping centers arising from the high electron affinity ITA and the formation of crosslinked networks as well as hydrogen bonding, which impeded the electric conduction. It also provided additional advantages of better dielectric properties for the CEC/ITA composites than pure CEC at high temperatures, which may offer inspiration for the design and preparation of bio‐based dielectrics for high temperatures. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Unlocking the potential of zwitterionic vapor-induced phase separation membranes synthesized from maleic anhydride in polyvinylidene fluoride-based systems for antifouling applications

This work presents an approach to form zwitterionic porous poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes fabricated by vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS). The reaction between maleic anhydride groups, incorporated initially in the casting solution by blending styrene maleic anhydride (SMA), with 3-((3-aminopropyl)dimethylammonio)propane-1-sulfonate led to the desired zwitterionic moieties. XPS and FTIR analyses confirm the functionalization of the membrane. SEM analyses revealed that it did not have any major impact on the membrane morphology deemed to be close to bicontinuous. While the mean pore size of the virgin membrane was 0.57 μm, it increased to 0.85 μm suggesting the pore-forming effect of SMA during the phase-inversion process. Hydration was significantly enhanced, attributed to the zwitterionic groups on the one hand, but also to the formation of carboxylic acid and amide groups following the ring-opening reaction. It led to significant resistance to bacterial attachment as tested with 4 strains of bacteria including Escherichia coli, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans (>99 % reduction for each). Applied in cyclic water/bacterial solution filtration tests, the modified membrane showed clear improvement in overall performances. Hence, for the virgin membrane, the initial water permeability, flux recovery ratio after the first cycle and flux recovery ratio after the second cycle were found to be 3000 L m−2 h−1.bar−1, 12 % and 53 %, respectively. For the optimized zwitterionic membrane, they were measured to be 7000 L m−2 h−1.bar−1, 26 % and 100 %, respectively. The efficacy of styrene maleic anhydride as a precursor for achieving stable and efficient zwitterionization of PVDF microfiltration membranes is evidenced, rendering it valuable for the filtration of microorganism-containing wastewater. Moreover, its potential application extends to the biomedical realm.

Synthesis, electro‐optic properties, and performance of novel fluorinated polyurethaneimide

AbstractUrethane imide anhydride oligomers with terminal groups as anhydride groups were designed and synthesized using second‐order nonlinear optical chromophore molecule, bisphenol AF‐type diethylidene dianhydride, and toluene diisocyanate as monomers. Polyurethaneimide (PUI) second‐order nonlinear optical polymers with the structure of imide and amino ester chain segments were then synthesized by the polycondensation reaction between urethane imide anhydride oligomers and aromatic diamine monomers. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of PUI reached 186°C, and the 5% heat‐loss decomposition temperature was 320°C. The corona‐polarized PUI had an electro‐optic (EO) coefficient (γ33) of 82 pm/V tested by the reflection method. The loss of light transmission of the polymer waveguide prepared with PUI as electro‐optical material was 1.13 dB/cm at 1550 nm. Mach–Zehnder type polymer waveguide electro‐optical modulators have been prepared based on the properties of the electro‐optic material PUI. The fabricated polymer EO modulators had favorable electro‐optic modulation response performance for low‐frequency electrical signals. The good modulation characteristics of the manufactured electro‐optical modulators proved that the synthesized PUI was a waveguide polymer material with good comprehensive performance.Highlights Electro‐optic fluorinated polyurethaneimide was synthesized. Polyurethaneimide as core material, polymer waveguide EO modulators were fabricated. The prepared modulators had good electro‐optic modulation performance.

Environmentally-friendly solvent pulping and grafting strategies for better foamability of poly(lactic acid)/agricultural waste biocomposites

In this study, the foamability of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) through a continuous extrusion process was enhanced by using an agricultural waste, environmentally friendly pulping methods, and reactive compatibilization of the lignocellulosic filler with matrix in the extrusion flow field. Both applied solvent-pulping methods by using chemicals with low safety and toxicity risks were considerably successful in purifying the micron-sized cellulosic fibers of rice straw (RS). The interface of PLA matrix with RS pulp fibers was modified by applying reactive compatibilizers containing maleic anhydride (MA) and epoxy functional groups. Both compatibilizers had the ability to simultaneously react with the hydroxyl groups of RS pulp fibers and end groups of PLA chains during the melt-compounding process. As a result of RS pulping and PLA/RS pulp compatibilizing reactions, the processability of PLA in an extrusion foaming process was substantially enhanced, in a way that the void fraction and cell density of PLA foam increased more than seven and two times, respectively. The extruded lightweight all-green biocomposite foams can be applied in construction and packaging applications.

Jet milling‐activated direct synthesis of octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch: an analysis of structural and application properties

SummaryThe synthesis of octenyl succinic anhydride‐modified starch was achieved through a fluidised bed activated by jet milling with graded revolution rates of 1200, 1800, 2400, 3000, and 3600 rpm. This study investigated the changes in the structural, physicochemical, and application properties of modified starch after jet milling. The results showed that modified starch can be synthesised using a one‐step jet milling process. The degree of substitution increased with a decrease in the starch particle size, resulting in a rough granule morphology. Structural analysis revealed that crystalline areas were destroyed in the modified starches. In the Fourier‐infrared spectrum, typical peaks appeared at 1724 and 1573 cm−1 upon introduction of the octenyl succinic anhydride group, whereas a new sodium peak appeared in the XPS spectrogram. The 1H‐NMR spectrum indicated that the esterification reaction mainly occurred on OH2 groups. The emulsification properties of the modified starch were significantly enhanced and increased with the crushing strength. The octenyl succinic anhydride‐modified starch has potential as a wall material for microcapsules, with good embedding rate and thermal stability. This novel synthesis method represents an innovative method for the synthesis of OSA‐starches.

Controlling On-Surface Photoactivity: The Impact of π-Conjugation in Anhydride-Functionalized Molecules on a Semiconductor Surface.

On-surface synthesis has become a prominent method for growing low-dimensional carbon-based nanomaterials on metal surfaces. However, the necessity of decoupling organic nanostructures from metal substrates to exploit their properties requires either transfer methods or new strategies to perform reactions directly on inert surfaces. The use of on-surface light-induced reactions directly on semiconductor/insulating surfaces represents an alternative approach to address these challenges. Here, exploring the photochemical activity of different organic molecules on a SnSe semiconductor surface under ultra-high vacuum, we present a novel on-surface light-induced reaction. The selective photodissociation of the anhydride group is observed, releasing CO and CO2. Moreover, we rationalize the relationship between the photochemical activity and the π-conjugation of the molecular core. The different experimental behaviour of two model anhydrides was elucidated by theoretical calculations, showing how the molecular structure influences the distribution of the excited states. Our findings open new pathways for on-surface synthesis directly on technologically relevant substrates.

Controlling On‐Surface Photoactivity: The Impact of π‐Conjugation in Anhydride‐Functionalized Molecules on a Semiconductor Surface

AbstractOn‐surface synthesis has become a prominent method for growing low‐dimensional carbon‐based nanomaterials on metal surfaces. However, the necessity of decoupling organic nanostructures from metal substrates to exploit their properties requires either transfer methods or new strategies to perform reactions directly on inert surfaces. The use of on‐surface light‐induced reactions directly on semiconductor/insulating surfaces represents an alternative approach to address these challenges. Here, exploring the photochemical activity of different organic molecules on a SnSe semiconductor surface under ultra‐high vacuum, we present a novel on‐surface light‐induced reaction. The selective photodissociation of the anhydride group is observed, releasing CO and CO2. Moreover, we rationalize the relationship between the photochemical activity and the π‐conjugation of the molecular core. The different experimental behaviour of two model anhydrides was elucidated by theoretical calculations, showing how the molecular structure influences the distribution of the excited states. Our findings open new pathways for on‐surface synthesis directly on technologically relevant substrates.