Atomic force microscopy of solid-state reaction of alcohol: Substitution and dehydration

The gas-solid chemical reactions of pure crystalline alcohol, such as triph enyl carbinol (1) and 1,1-dipbenylethanol-1 (3), with HCl gas and their mec hanism are studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and known crystal pa cking data. AFM reveals that the main crystal face (001) of 1 exhibits volc anoes, whereas the long side face (100) gives volcanoes and craters in turn . Both (010) and (100) of 3 exhibit islands. All of those are guided by the crystal structure. Molecular interpretations of the AFM features are given . (C) 2000 American Vacuum Society.