On-surface synthesis – there will be light

Light is an auspicious stimulus for the synthesis of covalent organic nanostructures on surfaces. By contrast to most thermally induced chemistry, photochemical couplings can proceed both on inert surfaces and at lower temperatures. Prospects are manifold, ranging from exploiting new classes of surfaces and reactions to attaining higher quality structures. Light is an auspicious stimulus for the synthesis of covalent organic nanostructures on surfaces. By contrast to most thermally induced chemistry, photochemical couplings can proceed both on inert surfaces and at lower temperatures. Prospects are manifold, ranging from exploiting new classes of surfaces and reactions to attaining higher quality structures.