Functional (Supra)Molecular Nanostructures - ruben-group
Functional (Supra)Molecular Nanostructures - ruben-group
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 />
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