Deposition of a Cationic FeIII Spin-Crossover Complex on Au(111): Impact of the Counter Ion.

Spin-crossover molecules on metallic substrates have recently attracted considerable interest for their potential applications in molecular spintronics. Using scanning tunneling microscopy, we evidence the first successful deposition of a charged FeIII spin-crossover complex, [Fe(pap)2]+ (pap = N-2-pyridylmethylidene-2-hydroxyphenylaminato), on Au(111). Furthermore, the bulk form of the molecules is stabilized by a perchlorate counterion, which depending on the deposition technique may affect the quality of the deposition and the measurements. Finally, we evidence switching of the molecules on Au(111).