Bottom-up fabrication and atomic-scale characterization of triply linked, laterally π-extended porphyrin nanotapes

Abstract

Porphyrin nanotapes (Por NTs) are promising structures for their use as molecular wires thanks to a high degree of π-conjugation, low HOMO—LUMO gaps, and exceptional conductance. Such structures have been prepared in solution, but their on-surface synthesis remains unreported. Here, meso–meso triply fused Por NTs have been prepared through a two-step synthesis on Au(111). The diradical character of the on-surface formed building block PorA2, a phenalenyl π-extended ZnIIPor, facilitates intermolecular homocoupling and allows for the formation of laterally π-extended tapes. The structural and electronic properties of individual Por NTs are addressed, both on Au(111) and on a thin insulating NaCl layer, by high-resolution scanning probe microscopy/spectroscopy complemented by DFT calculations. These Por NTs carry one unpaired electron at each end, which leads to magnetic end states. Our study provides a versatile route towards Por NTs and the atomic-scale characterization of such tapes