We present in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images with the resolution of isolated =Si-OX groups on H-Si(111) in NaOH solutions with or without isopropyl alcohol [X=H or -CH(CH3)(2)]. The comparison of STM with geometric contours shows that the electronegativity of OH ligands enhances the local density of states and generates a surface potential distribution. The dependence of both observations with the radical X and the mechanisms of grafting are discussed.