Reactions of low-energy ions with ferrocene self-assembled monolayer surfaces

Collisions of low‐energy Cr(CO) n+ (n = 0, 2, 6) ions with self‐assembled monolayer surfaces bearing covalently bound ferrocene groups result in transfer of the cyclopentadienyl ligand into the gas phase as the Cr(C5H5)+ ion. High fluences of Cr+ ions lead to deposition of Cr at the surface and subsequent Xe+ collisions liberate the metal ion. The Cr atoms deposited on the surface appear to be chemically bonded to the cyclopentadienyl rings. The implications of these results for modification of surfaces using ion beams are discussed.