Supramolecular self-assembly of suitably functionalized building blocks on surfaces can serve as an excellent test-bed to gain understanding and control over multicomponent self-assembly in more complex matter. Here we employ a powerful combination of scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and molecular modeling to uncover two-dimensional (2D) crystallization and mixing behavior of a series of alkylated building blocks based on dehydrobenzo[12]annulene, forming arrays of nanowells. Thorough STM investigation employing high-resolution spatial imaging, use of specially designed marker molecules, statistical analysis and thermal stability measurements revealed rich and complex supramolecular chemistry, highlighting the impact of odd�even effects on the phase behavior. The methodology and analysis presented in this work can be easily adapted to the self-assembly of other alkylated building blocks.E. Ghijsens et al., ACS Nano, 2013, 7 (9), pp 8031�8042

Tale of tails: Alkyl chain directed formation of 2D porous networks reveals odd�even effects and unexpected bicomponent phase behavior

247th National Meeting (2014)

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