Researchers in Berkeley, California, use AFM to monitor a chemical reaction

Researchers at UC-Berkeley have used some of the latest advancements in atomic force microscopy (AFM) to visualize the intramolecular structural changes of a single molecule, following a thermally induced cyclisation process. The AFM images of the oligo-(phenylene-1,2-ethynylene) molecule, supported on a Ag(100) substrate, were acquired using an AFM probe modified with a single CO molecule adsorbed at the tip apex. The molecule was subsequently imaged following heating (≥ 90°C) in order to visualize the product structure.

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2013/05/afm-reaction-products-reactants

Source: Science/AAAS | UC-Berkley | RSC Chemistry World 

For those with subscriptions to Science, the publication article can be found at:
D G de Oteyza et al, Science, 2013, DOI: 10.1126/science.1238187