| Abstract: | Scanning tunnelling microscopy is used to analyse the structure of the columnar metallomesogen bis[1-(3',4',5'-trioctyloxyphenyl)-3-(4'-octyloxphenyl)prop [Pd(II)BPOC8], on the basal plane of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. It is observed with near molecular level resolution that adsorbed molecules form a regular two-dimensional (2D) arrangement on the surface. The intermolecular spacing in the 2D crystallization is significantly shorter than in the intercolumnar mesophase, indicating that the alkyl chains of adjacent molecules interdigitate. Change in the carbon length of alkyl side chain groups results in a change in molecular periodicity in the 2D crystal. Models for the unit cell are proposed based on computer simulation. |
