Ullmann Dehalogenation of Dibromoferrocene for the formation of surface-confined molecular rotors

This thesis is an experimental investigation into the potential of ferrocene for fabricating surface-confined molecular rotors. The investigation was performed in ultra-high vacuum on gold and silver 111 surfaces, utilising Ullmann dehalogenation of dibromoferrocene as a method of forming stable organometallic assemblies. Analysis was performed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning tunnelling microscopy and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure quantitative methods. A density functional theory investigation of the rotational barriers of gas-phase ferrocene and dibromoferrocene, as well as surface adsorbed ferrocene geometry optimisation on silver 111, was also performed. Results indicate potential methods for forming surface-confined molecular rotors from dibromoferrocene.