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Functional (Supra)Molecular Nanostructures - ruben-group

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Habilitation Dr. Mario Ruben<br />

ULP Strasbourg<br />

Figure 14: Schematic representation and STM image of the coordination mode the<br />

infinite rectangular coordination network on Cu(100) surface with dimeric Fe2-units at the<br />

crossing points of the grid-like network.<br />

The Fe-O bond distances estimated from STM data are close to that of bulk materials<br />

(d(Fe-O)= 1.9-2.3 Å) [12] and the metal centers are held at a metal-metal distance of about<br />

d(Fe-Fe) = 5 Å. However, the observation of sometimes elongated Fe-O bonds might be<br />

indicative of a situation in which both ligand and metal centres are in close contact with the<br />

Cu(100) surface, which is then obviously acting a template. Thus, the underlying crystal<br />

lattice as well as the conduction band of the substrate might interfere structurally as well as<br />

electronically in the final positioning of the involved metal atoms relative to the organic<br />

ligands.<br />

However, looking at the distinct M2L4/2-stocheometry of the dimeric Fe2-nods, it<br />

seems reasonable to reckon that the principle of electro-neutrality is still persisting also under<br />

interfacial conditions. Such a view would lead to the definition of two Fe(II) ions surrounded<br />

by four deprotonated, negatively charged carboxylic <strong>group</strong>s. The formation of such electro-<br />

neutral 4+/4- units will depend critically on the smoothness of the deprotonation reaction,<br />

during which four carboxylic protons have to be reduced to two mole Hydrogen under<br />

simultaneous oxidation of the two Iron(0) centers. The gaseous Hydrogen could easily<br />

migrate into the UHV environment so favoring the accomplishment of the redox reaction. The<br />

local electro-neutrality around the dimeric Fe2-knots may also explain the high thermal<br />

stability of the 2D networks up to 500 K (although they are not stable in the presence of<br />

ambient gases).<br />

The further elucidation of the coordination characteristics of metal centers in close<br />

contact to metallic surfaces (coordination number, redox- and spin- state, metal-metal<br />

interactions, mirror charges, etc.) is under investigation and the results might advent a new<br />

23

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