title: Complex surface chemistry of an otherwise inert solvent molecule: tetrahydrofuran on Si(001).
abstract: The reaction of tetrahydrofuran (THF), an otherwise inert solvent molecule, on Si(001) was experimentally studied in ultra-high vacuum. Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and photoelectron spectroscopy at variable temperature, we could both isolate a datively bound intermediate state of THF on Si(001), as well as the final configuration that bridges two dimer rows of the Si(001) surface after ether cleavage. The latter configuration implies splitting of the OC bond, which is typically kinetically suppressed. THF thus exhibits a hitherto unknown reactivity on Si(001).
authors.affiliation: Fachbereich Physik und Zentrum für Materialwissenschaften, Philipps-Universität, 35032 Marburg (Germany); Current address: Physik-Institut, Universität Zürich, CH-8057 Zürich (Switzerland).
authors.forename: Gerson
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mette
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reutzel
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bartholomäus
authors.forename: Slimane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laref
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tonner
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dürr
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Koert
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Höfer
keywords: STM; XPS; ether cleavage; silicon surface; tetrahydrofuran