Substrate-induced pairing in 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakis-undecalkoxy-triphenylene self-assembled monolayers on Au(111)

We present an STM study of self-assembled monolayers of 2,3,6,7,10,11-undecalkoxy-substituted triphenylene (T11) at the n-tetradecane/Au(111) interface under ambient conditions. T11 molecules self-organize as paired rows with molecules lying flat on the surface in an antiparallel position. Three alkyl chains of each T11 molecule align along the <110> direction of the underlying Au(111) substrate. The association of T11 in molecular pairs appears to result from a substrate-induced mechanism governed by the strong anisotropic interaction between T11 alkyl chains and Au(111). Copyright © 2003 American Chemical Society.