One-dimensional supramolecular surface structures: 1,4-diisocyanobenzene on Au(111) surfaces...

One-dimensional supramolecular structures formed by adsorbing low coverages of
1,4-diisocyanobenzene on Au(111) at room temperature are obtained and imaged by scanning
tunneling microscopy (STM) under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. The structures originate
from step edges or surface defects and arrange predominantly in a straight fashion on the
substrate terraces along the h110i directions. They are proposed to consist of alternating units
of 1,4-diisocyanobenzene molecules and gold atoms with a unit cell in registry with the substrate
corresponding to four times the lattice interatomic distance. Their long 1-D chains and high
thermal stability offer the potential to use them as conductors in nanoelectronic applications.