Role of the Structure and Reactivity of Cu and Ag Surfaces in the Formation of a 2D Metal–Hexahydroxytriphenylene Network

We have investigated the role played by atomic structure and reactivity of supporting Ag(111) Cu(111) surfaces on formation 2D metal–organic networks (2D-MONs) involving metal adatom clusters spawned these two surfaces. While hexahydroxytriphenylene (HHTP) molecule forms complexes with Ag3 Cu3 on, respectively, surfaces, an extended order is only observed in 2D-MON Ag(111). By combining scanning tunneling microscopy measurements, density functional theory calculations, image simulations, we show that Ag–HHTP structurally compatible a periodic arrangement HHTP surface. In contrast, Cu(111), tightly bonded localized Cu–HHTP motifs are stabilized interaction Cu adclusters HHTP. However, they cannot match surface to form 2D-MON. large domains metallic possible when periodicity adsorbed assembly weakly perturbed addition reinforced bonding.