Surface-Bound Adducts of CdSe with EPh₃(E = N, P, As)

Compounds of group 15 in the periodic table are useful ligands in inorganic and organometallic chemistry, especially tertiary phosphines and arsines. We have shown that the common ligating groups EPh₃ (E = N, P, As) interact with the surface of CdSe in a manner consistent with adduct formation. Depletion width changes in the semiconductor reflect the relative basicities of these compounds, maximizing with PPh₃. Adduct formation constants do not correlate with depletion width changes. The largest constant is found for AsPh₃. The influence that these compounds have on the electronic structure of CdSe is discussed.