Surface-confined formation of conjugated porphyrin-based nanostructures on Ag(111)

Abstract

Porphyrin-based oligomers were synthesized from the condensation of adsorbed 4-benzaldehyde-substituted porphyrins through the formation of C[double bond, length as m-dash]C linkages, following a McMurry-type coupling scheme. Scanning tunneling microscopy, non-contact atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data evidence both the dissociation of aldehyde groups and the formation of C[double bond, length as m-dash]C linkages. Our approach provides a path for the on-surface synthesis of porphyrin-based oligomers coupled by C[double bond, length as m-dash]C bridges – as a means to create functional conjugated nanostructures.