Self-assembled monolayers of heavy chalcogenophenes and dialkyl heavy chalcogenides on Au(111)

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of heavy chalcogenophenes and dialkyl heavy chalcogenides on Au(111) were prepared by a vapor adsorption method. The adsorption of heavy chalcogenide analogues was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The structures of the films were observed using scanning tunneling microscopy under atmospheric conditions. The SAM of selenophene was stable and showed striped patterns with a row-to-row spacing of 16 +/- 1 Angstrom. Dibutyl selenide also formed striped patterns but with longer exposure times. Tellurophene and dibutyl telluride were found to adsorb on Au(111) but did not form ordered structures. The interactions of furan and thiophene with Au(111) were not strong enough for the molecule to adsorb on Au(111) at room temperature.