Manipulation of Cyclohexene-Based Organic Molecules on Various Metallic Substrates

Shikimic-acid and beta-carotene molecules were investigated on various metallic substrates using scanning tunneling microscopy at similar to 5 K We studied the potential ability of these metal-free organic molecules to be switched into a magnetic state as it was recently evidenced for retinoic acid and cholesterol on Au(111). While our attempts to generate spin within shikimic-acid and beta-carotene molecules proved unsuccessful, switching attempts for different molecule/substrate pairs were thoroughly analyzed so as to tentatively elucidate the underlying causes of the vain attempts. We speculate that, by avoiding the identified causes, other organic molecule/substrate pairs can be found for spin manipulation.