Real-Space Identification of Intermolecular Bonding with Atomic Force Microscopy

Abstract

Imaging Hydrogen Bonds The decoration of atomic force microscope tips with terminal CO molecules has afforded much higher resolution of the bonding of adsorbed molecules. Zhang et al. (p. 611 , published online 26 September) show that this method, in combination with density function theory calculations, can image and characterize hydrogen-bonding contacts formed between 8-hydroxyquinoline molecules adsorbed on the (111) surface of copper under cryogenic conditions. At room temperature, a different bonding configuration was revealed that was the result of the molecules dehydrogenating on the copper surface and coordinating with surface copper atoms.