Diels-Alder reaction on the clean diamond (100) 2 x 1 surface

The interaction of 1,3-butadiene with the C(100)2 x 1 surface at 300 K has been studied by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and low-energy ele ctron diffraction (LEED). EELS studies show that 1,3-butadiene readily chem isorbs on the C(100)2 x 1 surface by the Diels-Alder reaction ([4+2] cycloa ddition) where the surface dimer act as a dienophile. The surface product i s found to be stable up to similar to 1000 K. Orbital symmetry of the react ing species is an important factor in the reaction of unsaturated hydrocarb ons with the C(100)2 x 1 surface.