Direct measurement and modulation of single-molecule coordinative bonding forces in a transition metal complex
Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 2013
Coordination chemistry has been a consistently active branch of chemistry since Werner’s seminal theory of coordination compounds inaugurated in 1893, with the central focus on transition metal complexes. However, control and measurement of metal–ligand interactions at the single-molecule level remain a daunting challenge. Here we demonstrate an interdisciplinary and systematic approach that enables measurement and modulation of the coordinative bonding forces in a transition metal complex. Terpyridine is derived with a thiol linker, facilitating covalent attachment of this ligand on both gold substrate surfaces and gold-coated atomic force microscopy tips. The coordination and bond breaking between terpyridine and osmium are followed in situ by electrochemically controlled atomic force microscopy at the single-molecule level. The redox state of the central metal atom is found to have a significant impact on the metal–ligand interactions. The present approach represents a major advancement in unravelling the nature of metal–ligand interactions and could have broad implications in coordination chemistry.
Författare
Xian Hao
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU)
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Nan Zhu
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU)
Tina Gschneidtner
Chalmers, Kemi- och bioteknik, Polymerteknologi
Elvar Ö. Jönsson
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU)
Jingdong Zhang
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU)
Kasper Moth-Poulsen
Chalmers, Kemi- och bioteknik, Polymerteknologi
Hongda Wang
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Kristian S. Thygesen
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU)
K. W. Jacobsen
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU)
Jens Ulstrup
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU)
Qijin Chi
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU)
Nature Communications
2041-1723 (ISSN) 20411723 (eISSN)
Vol. 4 2121Ämneskategorier
Oorganisk kemi
Nanoteknik
DOI
10.1038/ncomms3121