Breaking Degeneracy of Tautomerization-Metastability from Days to Seconds

Scanning Probe Microscopy Characterization of Biomolecules enabled by Mass-Selective, Soft-landing Electrospray Ion Beam Deposition

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM), in particular at low temperature (LT) under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions, offers the possibility of real-space imaging with resolution reaching the atomic level. However, its potential for the analysis of complex biological molecules has been hampered by requirements imposed by sample preparation. Transferring molecules onto surfaces in UHV is typically accomplished by thermal sublimation in vacuum. This approach however is limited by the thermal stability of the molecules, i. e. not possible for biological molecules with low vapour pressure. Bypassing this limitation, electrospray ionisation offers an alternative method to transfer molecules from solution to the gas-phase as intact molecular ions. In soft-landing electrospray ion beam deposition (ESIBD), these molecular ions are subsequently mass-selected and gently landed on surfaces which permits large and thermally fragile molecules to be analyzed by LT-UHV SPM. In this concept, we discuss how ESIBD+SPM prepares samples of complex biological molecules at a surface, offering controls of the molecular structural integrity, three-dimensional shape, and purity. These achievements unlock the analytical potential of SPM which is showcased by imaging proteins, peptides, DNA, glycans, and conjugates of these molecules, revealing details of their connectivity, conformation, and interaction that could not be accessed by any other technique.

Fully Reprogrammable 2D Array of Multistate Molecular Switching Units

Integration of molecular switching units into complex electronic circuits is considered to be the next step toward the realization of novel logic and memory devices. This paper reports on an ordered 2D network of neighboring ternary switching units represented by triazatruxene (TAT) molecules organized in a honeycomb lattice on a Ag(111) surface. Using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy, the bonding configurations of individual TAT molecules can be controlled, realizing up to 12 distinct states per molecule. The switching between those states shows a strong bias dependence ranging from tens of millivolts to volts. The low-bias switching behavior is explored in active units consisting of two and more interacting TAT molecules that are purposefully defined (programmed) by high-bias switching within the honeycomb lattice. Within such a unit the low-bias switching can be triggered and accessed by single-point measurements on a single TAT molecule, demonstrating up to 9 and 19 distinguishable states in a dyad and a tetrad of coupled molecules, respectively. High experimental control over the desired state, owing to bias-dependent hierarchical switching and pronounced switching directionality, as well as full reversibility, make this system particularly appealing, paving the way to design complex molecule-based memory systems.

Voltage-driven control of single-molecule keto-enol equilibrium in a two-terminal junction system

Keto-enol tautomerism, describing an equilibrium involving two tautomers with distinctive structures, provides a promising platform for modulating nanoscale charge transport. However, such equilibria are generally dominated by the keto form, while a high isomerization barrier limits the transformation to the enol form, suggesting a considerable challenge to control the tautomerism. Here, we achieve single-molecule control of a keto-enol equilibrium at room temperature by using a strategy that combines redox control and electric field modulation. Based on the control of charge injection in the single-molecule junction, we could access charged potential energy surfaces with opposite thermodynamic driving forces, i.e., exhibiting a preference for the conducting enol form, while the isomerization barrier is also significantly reduced. Thus, we could selectively obtain desired and stable tautomers, which leads to significant modulation of the single-molecule conductance. This work highlights the concept of single-molecule control of chemical reactions on more than one potential energy surface.

Real-space resolved surface reactions: deprotonation and metalation of phthalocyanine

Upon deposition on a surface, molecules can undergo a plethora of changes, such as reactions with adsorbates and surface atoms and catalytic decomposition. Since different reaction pathways may coexist, spatially averaging techniques can be insufficient for the characterization and distinction of all on-surface products. Here, we present a study of single phthalocyanine molecules on a Cu(111) surface which was performed using high-resolution low-temperature STM. Upon deposition of metal-free H₂Pc, we can identify three distinct molecular species. A thorough investigation reveals that temperature-driven on-surface reactions partially convert H₂Pc into H₀Pc and CuPc. The individual species are differentiated by their topographic appearance and can unambiguously be identified by their STM-induced rotational behavior. While H₂Pc shows a switching between two orientations at low energies, a third orientation can be observed above E > 800 meV, which is induced by tautomerization. Around the Fermi level, the rotational behavior is asymmetric, owing to the excitation of vibrational modes in unoccupied states whereas resonant tunneling occurs in occupied states. A two-step deprotonation of H₂Pc confirms that the second species is H₀Pc. By comparison with CuPc evaporated on Cu(111), we unambiguously reveal that the third species is indeed CuPc, which exhibits an exceptionally low threshold for rotational switching accompanied by an asymmetric behavior around the Fermi level. Varying the post-annealing temperature, we found a sharp threshold for the H₂Pc → CuPc on-surface metalation at around 100 °C. In contrast, the competing process of thermal decomposition from H₂Pc to H₀Pc only increases weakly.

On-Surface Synthesis of Square-Type Porphyrin Tetramers with Central Antiaromatic Cyclooctatetraene Moiety

The synthesis of two-dimensionally extended polycyclic heteroatomic molecules keeps attracting considerable attention. In particular, frameworks bearing planar cyclooctatetraenes (COT) moieties can display intriguing properties, including antiaromaticity. Here, we present an on-surface chemistry route to square-type porphyrin tetramers with a central COT ring, coexisting with other oligomers. This approach employing temperature-induced dehydrogenative porphyrin homocoupling in an ultrahigh vacuum environment provides access to surface-supported, unsubstituted porphyrin tetramers that are not easily achievable by conventional synthesis means. Specifically, monomeric free-base (2H-P) and Zn-metalated (Zn-P) porphines (P) were employed to form square-type free-base and Zn-functionalized tetramers on Ag(100). An atomic-level characterization by bond-resolved atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy is provided, identifying the molecular structures. Complemented by density functional theory modeling, the electronic structure is elucidated, indeed revealing antiaromaticity induced by the COT moiety. The present study thus gives access, and insights, to a porphyrin oligomer, representing both a model system for directly fused porphyrins and a potential building block for conjugated, extended two-dimensional porphyrin sheets.

Extraction of Chemical Reactivity and Structural Relaxations of an Organic Dye from the Short-Range Interaction with a Molecular Probe

A CO-functionalized atomic force microscope tip is used to locally probe local chemical reactivity and subtle structural relaxations of a single phthalocyanine molecule at different stages of pyrrolic-H abstraction. Spatially resolved vertical force spectroscopy unveils a variation of the maximum short-range attraction between CO and intramolecular sites, which is interpreted as a measure for the local chemical reactivity. In addition, the vertical position of the point of maximum attraction is observed to vary across the molecules. These changes follow the calculated adsorption heights of the probed molecular atoms.

Single-molecule nano-optoelectronics: insights from physics

Single-molecule optoelectronic devices promise a potential solution for miniaturization and functionalization of silicon-based microelectronic circuits in the future. For decades of its fast development, this field has made significant progress in the synthesis of optoelectronic materials, the fabrication of single-molecule devices and the realization of optoelectronic functions. On the other hand, single-molecule optoelectronic devices offer a reliable platform to investigate the intrinsic physical phenomena and regulation rules of matters at the single-molecule level. To further realize and regulate the optoelectronic functions toward practical applications, it is necessary to clarify the intrinsic physical mechanisms of single-molecule optoelectronic nanodevices. Here, we provide a timely review to survey the physical phenomena and laws involved in single-molecule optoelectronic materials and devices, including charge effects, spin effects, exciton effects, vibronic effects, structural and orbital effects. In particular, we will systematically summarize the basics of molecular optoelectronic materials, and the physical effects and manipulations of single-molecule optoelectronic nanodevices. In addition, fundamentals of single-molecule electronics, which are basic of single-molecule optoelectronics, can also be found in this review. At last, we tend to focus the discussion on the opportunities and challenges arising in the field of single-molecule optoelectronics, and propose further potential breakthroughs.

Molecular Chains: Arranging and Programming Logic Gates

One particularly fascinating vision for charge-operated devices is the controlled assembly of structures from single surface-deposited molecules. Here, we report on the assembly of linear clusters that consist of phthalocyanine (H₂Pc) molecules on a Ag(111) surface. The molecules are imaged as well as manipulated with a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope (STM). Upon deprotonation of every second H₂Pc, the resulting HPc molecule exhibits an isomeric bistability which can be used as inputs in logic gates. Combining our STM measurements with density functional theory calculations we show that the HPc isomers exhibit a repulsive electrostatic interaction with adjacent H₂Pc molecules which, due to the asymmetric charge distribution on HPc, results in a counterclockwise or clockwise molecule tilt of the latter, thereby defining the logic 0 and 1 of the output. It is shown that information can be relayed along molecule chains over distances equivalent to at least nine molecules.

Inducing and Controlling Molecular Magnetism through Supramolecular Manipulation

Diamagnetic H₂ phthalocyanine molecules are probed on superconducting Pb(100) using a low-temperature scanning tunneling micoscope (STM). In supramolecular arrays made with the STM, the molecules acquire a spin as detected via the emergence of Yu-Shiba-Rusinov resonances. The spin moments vary among the molecules and are determined by the electrostatic field that results from polar bonds in the surrounding Pc molecules. The moments are further finely tuned by repositioning the hydrogen atoms of the inner macrocycle of the surrounding molecules.

Boosting Light Emission from Single Hydrogen Phthalocyanine Molecules by Charging

Interest in electroluminescence of single molecules is stimulated by the prospect of possible applications in novel light emitting devices. Recent studies provide valuable insights into the mechanisms leading to single molecule electroluminescence. Concrete information on how to boost the intensity of the emitted light, however, is rare. By combining scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and quantum chemical calculations, we show that the light emission efficiencies of an individual hydrogen-phthalocyanine molecule can be increased by a factor of ≈19 upon charging. This boost in intensity can be explained by the development of a vertical dipole moment normal to the substrate facilitating out-coupling of the local excitation to the far field. As this effect is not related to the specific nature of hydrogen-phthalocyanine, it opens up a general way to increase light emission from molecular junctions.

Tip-Induced Inversion of the Chirality of a Molecule's Adsorption Potential Probed by the Switching Directionality

The switching behavior of surface-supported molecular units excited by current, light, or mechanical forces is determined by the shape of the adsorption potential. The ability to tailor the energy landscape in which a molecule resides at a surface gives the possibility of imposing a desired response, which is of paramount importance for the realization of molecular electronic units. Here, by means of scanning tunneling microscopy, a triazatruxene (TAT) molecule on Ag(111) is studied, which shows a switching behavior characterized by transitions of the molecule between three states, and which is attributed to three energetically degenerate bonding configurations. Upon tunneling current injection, the system can be excited and continuously driven, showing a switching directionality close to 100%. Two surface enantiomers of TAT show opposite switching directions pointing at the chirality of the energy landscape of the adsorption potential as a key ingredient for directional switching. Further, it is shown that by tuning the tunneling parameters, the symmetry of the adsorption potential can be controllably adjusted, leading to a suppression of the directionality or an inversion of the switching direction. The findings represent a molecule-surface model system exhibiting unprecedented control of the shape of its adsorption potential.

Controlling Hydrogen-Transfer Rate in Molecules on Graphene by Tunable Molecular Orbital Levels

Molecular switches are building blocks of potential interest to store binary information, especially when they can be organized in periodic lattices. Among the variety of possible systems, switches based on hydrogen transfer are of special importance because they allow the switching operation to occur without severe conformational change that may interfere with neighboring molecular units. We have studied the excitation process of hydrogen transfer inside porphyrin molecules assembled on a graphene surface, using a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope. We show that this hydrogen transfer is induced by an electronic resonant tunneling process through the molecular orbitals. Using nitrogen doping of graphene, we tune the rate of hydrogen transfer by shifting the molecular orbital energies owing to the charge transfer at nitrogen dopant sites in the graphene lattice. The control of the switching process allows the storage of information inside a molecular lattice, which is demonstrated by writing an artificial pattern inside a molecular island.

π-Radical Formation by Pyrrolic H Abstraction of Phthalocyanine Molecules on Molybdenum Disulfide

For a molecular radical to be stable, the environment needs to be inert. Furthermore, an unpaired electron is less likely to react chemically when it is placed in an extended orbital. Here, we use the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope to abstract one of the pyrrolic hydrogen atoms from phthalocyanine (H₂Pc) deposited on a single layer of molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) on Au(111). We show the successful dissociation reaction by current-induced three-level fluctuations reflecting the inequivalent positions of the remaining H atom in the pyrrole center. Tunneling spectroscopy reveals two narrow resonances inside the semiconducting energy gap of MoS₂ with their spatial extent resembling the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of H₂Pc. By comparison to simple density functional calculations of the isolated molecule, we show that these correspond to a single occupation of the Coulomb-split highest molecular orbital of HPc. We conclude that the dangling σ bond after N-H bond cleavage is filled by an electron from the delocalized HOMO. The extended nature of the HOMO together with the inert nature of the MoS₂ layer favors the stabilization of this radical state.

Imprinting Directionality into Proton Transfer Reactions of an Achiral Molecule

Directionality is key for the functionality of molecular machines, which is often achieved by built-in structural chiralities. Here, we present a scanning tunneling microscopy study of achiral H₂Pc and HPc molecules that acquire chirality by adsorption onto a Ag(100) surface. The adsorption-geometry-induced chirality is caused by a -29° (+29°) rotation of the molecules with respect to the [011] substrate direction, resulting in tautomerization processes that preferentially occur in a clockwise (counterclockwise) direction. The directionality is found to be independent of the particular energy and location of charge carrier injection. In contrast to built-in structural chiralities that are fixed by the molecular structure, the direction of proton motion in HPc on Ag(100) can be inverted by a rotation of the molecule on the substrate.

On-Demand Final State Control of a Surface-Bound Bistable Single Molecule Switch

Modern electronic devices perform their defined action because of the complete reliability of their individual active components (transistors, switches, diodes, and so forth). For instance, to encode basic computer units (bits) an electrical switch can be used. The reliability of the switch ensures that the desired outcome (the component's final state, 0 or 1) can be selected with certainty. No practical data storage device would otherwise exist. This reliability criterion will necessarily need to hold true for future molecular electronics to have the opportunity to emerge as a viable miniaturization alternative to our current silicon-based technology. Molecular electronics target the use of single-molecules to perform the actions of individual electronic components. On-demand final state control over a bistable unimolecular component has therefore been one of the main challenges in the past decade (1-5) but has yet to be achieved. In this Letter, we demonstrate how control of the final state of a surface-supported bistable single molecule switch can be realized. On the basis of the observations and deductions presented here, we further suggest an alternative strategy to achieve final state control in unimolecular bistable switches.

Analyzing the Wave Nature of Hot Electrons with a Molecular Nanoprobe

We report on a novel method, the molecular nanoprobe (MONA) technique, which allows us to measure the nanoscale quasiparticle transport between two arbitrary surface points. In these experiments, hot electrons are injected into the sample surface from the probe tip of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and detected by tautomerization switching events of a single deprotonated phthalocyanine (H₂Pc) molecule. By making use of atom-by-atom-engineered interferometers on a Ag(111) surface, we demonstrate that the quantum-mechanical wave nature of hot electrons leads to characteristic oscillations of the molecule tautomerization probability. Two interferometers can be combined to build an energy-dependent selector, which allows it to selectively switch one out of two molecules without changing the position of the STM tip. The MONA technique is compared with conventional d I/d U measurements, where the injection and detection point of hot electrons is intrinsically tied to the same tip location.

Remote Single-Molecule Switching: Identification and Nanoengineering of Hot Electron-Induced Tautomerization

Molecular electronics where single molecules perform basic functionalities of digital circuits is a fascinating concept that one day may augment or even replace nowadays semiconductor technologies. The tautomerization of molecules, that is, the bistable functional position of hydrogen protons within an organic frame, has recently been intensively discussed as a potential avenue toward nanoscale switches. It has been shown that tautomerization can be triggered locally or nonlocally, that is, by a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tip positioned directly above or in close vicinity to the molecule. Whereas consensus exists that local switching is caused by inelastic electrons that excite vibrational molecular modes, the detailed processes responsible for nonlocal tautomerization switching and, even more important in the context of this work, methods to control, engineer, and potentially utilize this process are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate for dehydrogenated H₂Pc molecules on Ag(111) how to controllably decrease or increase the probability of nonlocal, hot electron-induced tautomerization by atom-by-atom designed Ag nanostructures. We show that Ag atom walls act as potential barriers that exponentially damp the hot electron current between the injection point and the molecule, reducing the switching probability by up to 83% for a four-atom wide wall. By placing the molecule in one and the STM tip in the other focal point of an elliptical nanostructure, we could coherently focus hot electrons onto the molecule that led to an almost tripled switching probability. Furthermore, single and double slit experiment based on silver atom structures were used to characterize the spatial extension of hot electron packets. The absence of any detectable interference pattern suggests that the coherence length of the hot electrons that trigger tautomerization processes is rather short. Our results demonstrate that the tautomerization switching of single molecules can remotely be controlled by utilizing suitable nanostructures and may pave the way for designing new tautomerization-based switches.