Switching between π-diradical open-shell and closed-shell states and progress in tip-induced chemistry on insulators
Leo Gross
IBM Research Europe – Zurich, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
Elusive and otherwise unstable molecules can be created on inert surfaces by tip-induced chemistry and then studied with scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and non-contact atomic force microscopy (AFM) with bond-resolved contrast [1-3].
The elusive organic molecule indeno[1,2-a]fluorene was synthesized on ultra-thin NaCl films on (111) coinage metal surfaces. The molecule exhibits ground-state bistability, wherein it can be stabilized either in a magnetic or a non-magnetic state, and it can be switched between the two states by changing its adsorption site on the surface [4]. Moreover, I will discuss recent progress in tip-induced chemistry to form elusive open-shell molecules.
References:
[1] L Gross et al. Science 325, 1110–1114 (2009)
[2] L Gross et al. Science 337, 1326–1329 (2012)
[3] F. Albrecht et al. Science, 384, 677–682 (2024)
[4] S. Mishra et al. Nat. Chem. 16, 755–761 (2024)