Functionalising metal surfaces with N-heterocyclic carbenes for applications in corrosion inhibition and heterogenous catalysis

Functionalisation of metal surfaces with NHCs has shown considerable promise in a range of applications including corrosion resistance, the development of novel biosensors and in catalysis. In each case, it is important to develop a detailed understanding of the interaction of NHCs with metal surfaces which can be achieved by surface characterisation of NHC adsorption on well-defined single crystal surfaces with the complementary techniques of scanning tunnelling microscopy, vibrational spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperature programmed desorption1, 2 . Thiol functionalised Au nanoparticles are used widely in a variety of applications3. The extension to nanoparticles of other metals is limited by the tendency of these more reactive metals to corrode in ambient environments. In this project the stability of NHC modified nanoparticles of other metals, e.g. Ag, will be investigated. In addition, Chiral NHCs have been used in enantioselective catalysis4. The work will be extended to synthesise and characterise metal nanoparticles functionalised by the adsorption of chiral NHCs and to test these systems as enantioselective heterogeneous catalysts.