The infrared spectra of 1,4-phenylene diisocyanide (PDI) on gold films show a free isocyanide mode at high PDI solution doses.
Dosing gold-nanoparticle covered mica with PDI shows an initial increase and then a decrease in conductivity.
The results show a conversion from flat-lying Au–PDI oligomers to a vertical species with increasing dose.
The results rationalize the apparent discrepancy with previous work.