The interaction between a 2-chlorophenol (C6H4OHCl) molecule and the Cu(111) surface has been investigated using density functional theory as an initial step in gaining a better understanding of the catalyzed formation of dioxin compounds on a clean copper surface. The 2-chlorophenol molecule is found to form several weakly bonded, horizontally and vertically oriented configurations. Dissociative modes have also been investigated. For the latter, the formation of phenyl and benzyne fragments is found to be more energetically favourable than the formation of 2-chlorophenoxy radicals. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.