Phthalocyanine reactivity and interaction on the 6H-SiC(0001)-(3 × 3) surface investigated by core-level experiments and simulations.

The adsorption of phthalocyanine (H2Pc) on the 6H-SiC(0001)-(3 × 3) surface is investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Spectral features are tracked from the submonolayer to the multilayer growth regime, observing a significant modification of spectroscopic signals at low coverage with respect to the multilayer films, where molecules are weakly interacting. Molecules stay nearly flat on the surface at the mono and submonolayers. Previously proposed adsorption models, where the molecule binds by two N atoms to corresponding Si adatoms, do not reproduce the experimental spectra at the submonolayer coverage. We find instead that another adsorption model where the molecule replaces the two central H atoms by a Si adatom, effectively forming Si-phthalocyanine (SiPc), is both energetically more stable and yields in combination a better agreement between the experimental and simulated spectra. This suggests that the 6H-SiC(0001)-(3 × 3) surface may be a candidate substrate for the on-surface synthesis of SiPc molecules.

Spin Polarization, Electron-Phonon Coupling, and Zero-Phonon Line of the NV Center in 3C-SiC.

The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in 3C-SiC, the analog of the NV center in diamond, has recently emerged as a solid-state qubit with competitive properties and significant technological advantages. Combining first-principles calculations and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we provide thorough insight into its magneto-optical properties. By applying resonantly excited electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, we identified the zero-phonon absorption line of the 3A2 → 3E transition at 1289 nm (within the telecom O-band) and measured its phonon sideband, the analysis of which reveals a Huang-Rhys factor of S = 2.85 and a Debye-Waller factor of 5.8%. The low-temperature spin-lattice relaxation time was found to be exceptionally long (T1 = 17 s at 4 K). All these properties make NV in 3C-SiC a strong competitor for qubit applications. In addition, the strong variation of the zero-field splitting in the range 4-380 K allows its application for nanoscale thermal sensing.

Dual switchable molecular tweezers incorporating anisotropic MnIII-salphen complexes.

An alternative strategy for the synthesis of terpyridine based switchable molecular tweezers has been developed to incorporate anisotropic Mn(iii)-salphen complexes. The free ligand was synthesized using a building block strategy based on Sonogashira coupling reactions and was then selectively metalated with manganese in a last step. The conformation of the tweezers was switched from an open 'W' shaped form to a closed 'U' form by Zn(ii) coordination to the terpyridine unit bringing the two Mn-salphen moieties in close spatial proximity as confirmed by X-ray crystallography. An alternate switching mechanism was observed by the intercalation of a bridging cyanide ligand between the two Mn-salphen moieties that resulted in the closing of the tweezers. These dual stimuli are attractive for achieving multiple controls of the mechanical motion of the tweezers. A crystallographic structure of unexpected partially oxidized closed tweezers was also obtained. One of the two Mn-salphen moieties underwent a ligand-centered oxidation of an imino to an amido group allowing an intramolecular Mn-Oamide-Mn linkage. The magnetic properties of the manganese(iii) dimers were investigated to evaluate the magnetic exchange interaction and analyze the single molecule magnet behavior.

Six States Switching of Redox-Active Molecular Tweezers by Three Orthogonal Stimuli.

A six level molecular switch based on terpyridine(Ni-salphen)2 tweezers and addressable by three orthogonal stimuli (metal coordination, redox reaction, and guest binding) is reported. By a metal coordination stimulus, the tweezers can be mechanically switched from an open "W"-shaped conformation to a closed "U"-shaped form. Theses two states can each be reversibly oxidized by the redox stimulus and bind to a pyrazine guest resulting in four additional states. All six states are stable and accessible by the right combination of stimuli and were studied by NMR, XRD, EPR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. The combination of the supramolecular concepts of mechanical motion and guest binding with the redox noninnocent and valence tautomerism properties of Ni-salphen complexes added two new dimensions to a mechanical switch.

Mechanical switching of magnetic interaction by tweezers-type complex.

A control of the interaction between two spin centers was achieved by using a mechanical motion in a terpy(Cu-salphen)2 complex. Upon coordination a conformation change and switching from a paramagnetic to an antiferromagnetically coupled system was observed by EPR and SQUID measurements.