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PAPER: Selection of conformational states in surface self-assembly for a molecule with eight possible pairs of surface enantiomers.

Screenshot from the article Selection of conformational states in surface self-assembly for a molecule with eight possible pairs of surface enantiomers published in ChemComm

Chem. Commun., 2016, doi: 10.1021/nn9012803

Nuermaimaiti, A., S-Falk, V., Cramer, J. L., Svane K. L., Hammer, B., Gothelf, K. V., Linderoth, T. R.

Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark

Center for DNA nanotechnology (CDNA) and Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark

 

Abstract

 

Self-assembly of a molecule with many distinct conformational states, resulting in eight possible pairs of surface enantiomers, is investigated on a Au(111) surface under UHV conditions. The complex molecule is equipped with alkyl and carboxyl moieties to promote controlled self-assembly of lamellae structures. From statistical analysis of Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy (STM) data we observe a clear selection of specific conformational states after self-assembly. Using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations we rationalise how this selection is correlated to the orientation of the alkyl moieties in mirror-image domains of the lamellae structures, leading to selection of three out of the eight possible enantiomeric pairs.