Light-induced reversible modification of the work function of a new perfluorinated biphenyl azobenzene chemisorbed on Au (111)

We describe the synthesis of a novel biphenyl azobenzene derivative exhibiting: (i) a protected thiol anchoring group in the [small alpha]-position to readily form self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au surfaces; and (ii) a terminal perfluorinated benzene ring in the [small omega]-position to modify the surface properties. The design of this molecule ensured both an efficient in situ photoswitching between the trans and cis isomers when chemisorbed on Au(111),