When gold and silver differ: interactions of N-heterocyclic carbenes with noble metal surfaces

Key Points

• The aim is to explore the deposition of N-heterocyclic carbene monolayers on noble metals and their interactions.
• Developed a benchtop deposition method for N-heterocyclic carbenes.
• Performed deposition on gold and silver surfaces in the presence of oxygen.
• Monitored surface etching of silver during deposition.
• Successfully formed comparable carbene monolayers on both gold and silver.
• Deposition process caused etching of the silver surface, altering its characteristics.