Two‐Dimensional Crystals from Reduced Symmetry Analogues of Trimesic Acid

Abstract

The two‐dimensional assembly of multicarboxylated arenes is explored at the liquid–graphite interface using scanning tunneling microscopy. Symmetry variations were introduced via phenylene spacer addition and the influence of these perturbations on the formation of hydrogen‐bonded motifs from an alkanoic acid solvent is observed. This work demonstrates the importance of symmetry in 2D crystal formation and draws possible links of this behavior to prediction of coordination modes in three‐dimensional coordination polymers.Crystal clear: 2D assemblies of a series of five reduced symmetry multicarboxylated molecules (such as depicted) related to trimesic acid, a prototypical high symmetry adsorbate, through the addition of phenylene spacers, are explored at the liquid–graphite interface using scanning tunneling microscopy. The 2D assembly behaviors of these multicarboxylate molecules mirror their coordination modes in 3D coordination polymers.