Low-energy electron bombardment of cyclopropane submonolayers was
used to prepare cyclopropyl
and metallacyclobutane species on Cu(110) and Cu(111)
surfaces. The thermal chemistry of both species was
monitored over the 90−450 K range by taking high-resolution electron
energy loss (HREELS) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) measurements. Cyclization of the
metallacyclobutane species, to eliminate
cyclopropane, was found to occur at 205 K. The metallacyclobutane
species was characterized by CH stretching
losses at 2806 and 2839 cm-1 for Cu(110)
and Cu(111), respectively. The cyclopropyl species was found
to
undergo ring opening to yield a propene desorption product at 290 K.
The observed surface chemistry of both
of these cyclic C3 species is compared with data from the
organometallic, catalysis, and surface science literature.