Nanowerk  March 30, 2021 Researchers in Germany have demonstrated Si–Si bond formation on Au(111) and Cu(111) surfaces by using two different monomers, each containing two silicon functional groups (CH3SiH2 or SiH3) attached to an aromatic backbone, leading to polymeric disilenes that interact with the surface. A combination of experimental and theoretical studies corroborated the formation of covalent Si–Si bonds between the long, highly ordered polymer chains with high diastereoselectivity. The reactive Si=Si bonds formally generated via double dehydrogenative coupling were stabilized via covalent Si–surface interaction. This method could be used to develop a completely new strategy for molecular changes to […]