Pyridine on cleaved Si(111): Analysis of the vibrational modes and nature of the chemisorption process

We present evidence that the chemisorption mechanism for pyridine on cleaved Si(111) is similar to that of benzene on the same surface. The mechanism involves the breaking of C--H bonds and formation of C--Si bonds. Similar processes could give rise to an exceptionally high reactivity of other aromatic molecules on room-temperature cleaved Si(111).