Organometallic polymer from prochiral molecule by surface-assisted synthesis on Ag(111)

Organometallic chains can be successfully achieved via surface-assisted synthesis on Ag(111) surface by choosing prochiral 4,4'-dibromo-2,2'-bis(2-phenylethynyl)-1,1'-biphenyl (DBPB) molecule as designed precursor. High-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy investigation reveals that prochiral molecule shows chirality on surface, and can evolve to organometallic chains on Ag(111) surface based on Ullmann coupling. Due to special structural features of DBPB molecule, chiral selectivity will lose in organometallic chains. This result may provide an important basis for selecting suitable precursors to fabricate of chiral covalent nanostructures on surface.