Assembly of 2D ionic layers by reaction of alkali halides with the organic electrophile 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane (TCNQ).

Sublimation of alkali halides (NaCl and LiCl) onto a pre-assembled hydrogen-bonded layer of TCNQ on Au(111) resulted in the formation of 2D ionic layers via a direct charge-transfer reaction without involvement of the substrate. The presented approach allows for the fabrication of different ionic layers, decoupled from the substrate and offering new, potentially interesting properties.

Controlling spins in adsorbed molecules by a chemical switch.

The development of chemical systems with switchable molecular spins could lead to the architecture of materials with controllable magnetic or spintronic properties. Here, we present conclusive evidence that the spin of an organometallic molecule coupled to a ferromagnetic substrate can be switched between magnetic off and on states by a chemical stimulus. This is achieved by nitric oxide (NO) functioning as an axial ligand of cobalt(II)tetraphenylporphyrin (CoTPP) ferromagnetically coupled to nickel thin-film (Ni(001)).