Charge delocalization induces reaction in molecular chains at a surface.

The molecular dynamics of an electron-induced reaction in a self-assembled molecular chain of four dimethyldisulfide molecules on Au(111) are studied. Charge delocalization weakens all the S-S bonds causing a concurrent reaction along the entire chain. All the original S-S bonds are broken and new S-S bonds form giving three altered S-S bonds and two chemisorbed thiyl radicals.