title: A tale of tails: alkyl chain directed formation of 2D porous networks reveals odd-even effects and unexpected bicomponent phase behavior.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Chemistry, Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, KU Leuven , Celestijnenlaan 200 F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
authors: Elke
authors: E
authors: Ghijsens
authors: Oleksandr
authors: O
authors: Ivasenko
authors: Kazukuni
authors: K
authors: Tahara
authors: Hiroyuki
authors: H
authors: Yamaga
authors: Shintaro
authors: S
authors: Itano
authors: Tatyana
authors: T
authors: Balandina
authors: Yoshito
authors: Y
authors: Tobe
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: De Feyter
mesh_terms: D000478:Alkylation; D045424:Complex Mixtures / Q000737:chemistry*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D058608:Nanopores / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D044367:Phase Transition; D016062:Porosity
chemical_list: D045424:Complex Mixtures