Switching in molecular shapes: main chain length driven rod-circle transition of isolated helical polysilanes

Chem Commun (Camb). 2006 Jul 5:(25):2705-7. doi: 10.1039/b603122f. Epub 2006 May 24.

Abstract

Unique conformations such as rod, semicircle, and circle structures of isolated semi-flexible helical polysilanes were observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM); the chain topology was significantly related to the chain length (molecular weight) on the surfaces.