Two-dimensional (2D) self-assembly of oligo(phenylene-ethynylene) molecules and their triangular platinum(ii) diimine complexes studied using STM.

In this investigation, the two-dimensional (2D) self-assembly nanostructures of a series of cyclic oligo(phenylene-ethynylene) (OPE) molecules (L1, L2-6 and L2-12) at the 1-phenyloctane/highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) interface were thoroughly studied using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Comparative STM studies with their triangular Pt(ii) diimine complexes (C1, C2-6 and C2-12) were also carried out. Based on careful measurements on single molecule level STM images and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the formation mechanisms of the nanoarrays formed were revealed.