Controlled adsorption orientation for double-decker complexes

Control of the molecular orientation of double-decker complexes comprised of rare-earth metals sandwiched with naphthalocyanine and porphyrin/phthalocyanine, at the interface of a graphite surface and I-phenyloctane solution, has been demonstrated for the future application of molecular rotor assembly. Scanning tunneling microscope images clarified the internal structures of the top ligands. The observed images indicate that naphthalocyanine ligands were selectively adsorbed onto the graphite surface and the counterpart ligands of porphyrin/phthalocyanine were oriented off the surface. Control of the orientation of monolayers of mixed double-decker complexes has also been demonstrated.