Issue 17, 2010

On the electronic and geometrical structure of the trans- and cis-isomer of tetra-tert-butyl-azobenzene on Au(111)

Abstract

Near edge X-ray absorption fine structure and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have been employed to follow the reversible trans to cis isomerization of tetra-tert-butyl-azobenzene (TBA) adsorbed on Au(111). For one monolayer the molecules adopt an adsorption geometry characteristic of the trans-TBA isomer. The azo-bridge (N = N) is aligned nearly parallel to the surface and the phenyl rings exhibit a planar orientation with a small tilt angle ≤4° with respect to the surface normal. Illumination of the molecular layer at 455 nm triggers the trans to cis isomerization which is associated with a pronounced change of the geometrical and electronic structure. The N1s to π* transition of the central azo-bridge shifts by 0.45 ± 0.05 eV to higher photon energy and the transition dipole moment (TDM) is tilted by 59 ± 5° with respect to the surface normal. The π-system of one phenyl ring is tilted by about 30° with respect to the surface normal, while the second ring plane is oriented nearly perpendicular to the surface. This reorientation is supported by a shift and broadening of the C–H resonances associated with the tert-butyl legs of the molecule. These findings support a configuration of the photo-switched TBA molecule on Au(111) which is comparable to the cis-isomer of the free molecule. In the photo-stationary state 53 ± 5% of the TBA molecules are switched to the cis configuration. Thermal activation induces the back reaction to trans-TBA.

Graphical abstract: On the electronic and geometrical structure of the trans- and cis-isomer of tetra-tert-butyl-azobenzene on Au(111)

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
19 Nov 2009
Accepted
17 Feb 2010
First published
23 Mar 2010

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2010,12, 4488-4497

On the electronic and geometrical structure of the trans- and cis-isomer of tetra-tert-butyl-azobenzene on Au(111)

R. Schmidt, S. Hagen, D. Brete, R. Carley, C. Gahl, J. Dokić, P. Saalfrank, S. Hecht, P. Tegeder and M. Weinelt, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2010, 12, 4488 DOI: 10.1039/B924409C

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