Nitrenes are known as key intermediates in various chemical reactions. Nitrene transfer reactions are particularly effective for synthesizing nitrogen-containing compounds, where metal catalysts play a crucial role in controlling nitrene reactivity and selectivity. In this study, we demonstrate the formation of a stable surface-supported dinitrene on Au(111) through UV irradiation of its diazide precursor, characterized by scanning probe techniques. The photoreaction mechanism is elucidated with wavelength-dependent experiments and time-dependent density functional theory calculations. Our findings present the first real-space visualization of a metal nitrene adsorbed on a surface, highlighting its potential in catalysis and surface functionalization.

Department of Physical Chemistry University of Graz Heinrichstraße 28 8010 Graz Austria

Empa Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology Überlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Switzerland

Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering Czech Technical University Prague Břehová 78 7 11519 Prague 1 Czech Republic

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Czech Academy of Sciences Flemingovo nám 2 16610 Prague 6 Czech Republic

Institute of Physics Czech Academy of Sciences Cukrovarnická 10 16200 Prague 6 Czech Republic

Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid CSIC Cantoblanco 28049 Madrid Spain

Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute Palacký University 78371 Olomouc Czech Republic

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