Synthesis and photophysics of new pyridyl end-capped 3D-dithia[3.3]paracyclophane-based Janus tectons: surface-confined self-assembly of their model pedestal on HOPG

Abstract

Surface-confined supramolecular self-assembly is currently a promising strategy to create well-organised 2D-networks on conducting surfaces. However, using such substrates tends to quench any electronic properties of the adsorbed molecules. In this context, new pyridyl end-capped 3D-dithia[3.3]paracyclophane-based molecules were designed, along with their model compound (pedestal), with the objective of self-assembling these tectons on any substrate. The synthesis of these new molecules was not straightforward and is consequently described in detail. Once the materials were successfully isolated, their optoelectronic properties were investigated to study potential non-covalent interactions: through pH-dependent absorption and emission measurements, and infra-red spectrometry. We evidenced that both ionic bonding and coordination bonding are compatible with the molecules design. Finally, preliminary scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) studies were performed to study the supramolecular self-assembly properties of the model lower-deck (pedestal) on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG): we observed a quasi-square lattice of self-assembled 2D-networks that appear to form independently of the underlying HOPG lattice.