Complex organic molecules at metal surfaces: bonding, organisation and chirality

Surface science techniques have now reached a stage of maturity that has enabled their successful deployment in the study of complex adsorption systems. A particular example of this success has been the understanding that has been gained regarding the behaviour of multi-functional organic molecules at metal surfaces. These organic–metal systems show enormous diversity, starting from their local description which can vary in terms of chemical structure, orientation and bonding. Additionally, in many cases, these complex organic molecules self-organise into beautiful, ordered superstructures held together by networks of intermolecular bonds. Both these aspects enable a single organic molecule–metal system to exhibit a wide-ranging and flexible approach to its environment, leading to a variety of adsorption phases, according to the prevailing temperature and coverage conditions. In this review we have attempted to capture this complexity by constructing adsorption phase diagrams from the available literature for complex carboxylic acids, amino acids, anhydrides and ring systems, all deposited under controlled conditions onto defined metal surfaces. These provide an accessible, pictorial basis of the adsorption phases which are then discussed further in the text of the review. Finally, interest has recently focused on the property of chirality that can be bestowed at an achiral metal surface by the adsorption of these complex organic molecules. The creation of such architectures offers the opportunity for ultimate stereocontrol of reactions and responses at surfaces. We have, therefore, specifically examined the various ways in which chirality can be expressed at a surface and provide a framework for classifying chiral hierarchies that are manifested at surfaces, with particular attention being paid to the progression of chirality from a local to a global level.