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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/T18585/01
Title: The utility and behaviour of organic fluorine compounds on surfaces
Principal Investigator: Richardson, Professor N
Other Investigators:
Baddeley, Professor C O'Hagan, Professor D
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Chemistry
Organisation: University of St Andrews
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 January 2005 Ends: 31 December 2007 Value (£): 342,284
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Chemical Structure Chemical Synthetic Methodology
Surfaces & Interfaces
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing Chemicals
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Related Grants:
GR/T18592/01
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
This proposal investigates the application of fluorine atoms as a probe for improving the visualisation of organic molecules on surfaces by STM. The programme addresses the synthesis and surface analysis of selectively fluorinated molecules relative to their hydrocarbon and alcohol counterparts. One emphasis will be on exploring chiral systems - evaluating conformations of adsorbed species and resolving issues pertinent to chiral separation, chiral recognition and enantioselective heterogeneous catalysis. It is envisaged that the fluorine atoms will add contrast to STM images aiding in the interpretation of complex 2-D adlayer structures. The programme will systematically evaluate the structural properties of key fluorinated molecules on metal surfaces compared to their non-fluorinated analogues. A further emphasis will be placed on bio-organic systems. When hydrogen or oxygen is replaced by fluorine, molecular shape and size remains very similar. However increased electronegativity and suppressed hydrogen bonding capacity (relative to oxygen) can result in significant and sometimes predictable perturbations. Fluorinated analogues of stearic acid and tartaric acids will be explored as well as the ability of surfaces to resolve chirality at a stereogenic centre carrying a fluorine atom . STM provides a unique opportunity to explore these structural and electronic influences at the molecular level.
Key Findings
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Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.st-and.ac.uk