A controlled
chemical reaction on a specific bond in
a single molecule
is an inevitable step toward atomic engineering and fabrication. Here,
we explored the debromination of a single 9,10-dibromoanthracene (DBA)
molecule on a surface as stimulated by the voltage pulse through the
tip of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). A voltage threshold
of about 2.2 V is obtained, and the nature of single-electron process
is revealed. The spatially resolved debromination yield is obtained
as a function of the pulse magnitude, which presents strong asymmetry
for the two C–Br bonds. The optimal stimulation parameters
including the pulse magnitude and the tip locations are suggested.
The distinct dynamics in dissociation of the two bonds are illustrated
by their energy diagrams and recoil paths, as derived by the first-principles
density functional theory (DFT) calculation. The influence of the
local electric field due to the STM tip on the dissociation of the
C–Br bond has also been discussed. The study presents detailed
practice for the controlled debromination in a single DBA molecule,
which may lead to automated atomic engineering and fabrication of
artificial nanostructures in the future.
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