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A Cascade Reaction Triggered by H-H Steric Hindrance: Dimeric Covalent Organic Frameworks on Au(111) and Dimeric Nanoribbons on Ag(111)
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  • Boyu Fu,
  • Jianchen Lu,
  • Jianqun Geng,
  • Yong Zhang,
  • Wei Xiong,
  • Gefei Niu,
  • Yi Zhang,
  • Lei Gao,
  • Jinming Cai
Boyu Fu
Kunming University of Science and Technology
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Jianchen Lu
Kunming University of Science and Technology
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Jianqun Geng
Kunming University of Science and Technology
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Yong Zhang
Kunming University of Science and Technology
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Wei Xiong
Kunming University of Science and Technology
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Gefei Niu
Kunming University of Science and Technology
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Yi Zhang
Kunming University of Science and Technology
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Lei Gao
Kunming University of Science and Technology
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Jinming Cai
Kunming University of Science and Technology

Corresponding Author:j.cai@kust.edu.cn

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Abstract

In on-surface synthesis, dimers are typically utilized to explore reaction mechanisms or as intermediates in the formation of final products. However, constructing the innovative nanostructures with dimers as building blocks remains challenging. Here, using non-planar 2,2′,7,7′-tetrabromo-9,9′-biflurenyliden molecules, we have successfully synthesized dimeric covalent organic frameworks (COFs) on the Au(111) surface through a temperature-controlled cascade reaction. Notably, the H-H steric hindrance within precursors caused by double bonds leads to selective stepwise debromination during the thermal annealing, which promotes the dimerization through intermolecular Ullmann coupling and cyclodehydrogenation reaction to form COFs primarily constituted by dimer building blocks. Combining scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, we have precisely confirmed the structural evolution and reaction mechanism. Furthermore, by introducing Ag adatoms to form C−Ag−C intermediates, we have successfully regulated the reaction path and synthesized one-dimensional nanoribbons with dimers as building blocks. This work not only validates the strategy of synthesizing dimeric nanostructures on different surfaces through cascade reactions induced by precursor design, but also enrich the research field of surface synthesis of COFs and nanoribbons.
23 Jul 2024Submitted to Chinese Journal of Chemistry
24 Jul 2024Submission Checks Completed
24 Jul 2024Assigned to Editor
24 Jul 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Aug 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
04 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
12 Sep 20241st Revision Received
12 Sep 2024Submission Checks Completed
12 Sep 2024Assigned to Editor
12 Sep 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
14 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Accept