Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.131, No.30, 10400-10400, 2009
Supramolecular Patterns Controlled by Electron Interference and Direct Intermolecular Interactions
Whereas all 230 three-dimensional space groups occur in organic crystals, out of only 17 plane groups some highly symmetric ones such as p31 m have not yet been observed in two-dimensional (2D) crystals of organic molecules. Here a kagome network with p31 m symmetry is reported for cobalt phthalocyanine on Cu(111). This unusual structure results from substrate-induced reduction of molecular symmetry and substrate-mediated interaction via quantum interference of surface electrons. These interactions provide additional control over the symmetry of 2D crystals of phthalocyanines and lead to a variety of other symmetries in self-assembled arrays.