Molecular and supramolecular networks on surfaces: From two-dimensional crystal engineering to reactivity

Abstract

The invention of the scanning tunneling microscope has led to the visualization of molecules in real space on atomically flat conductive substrates. This has boosted research into supramolecular chemistry on surfaces. In this Review, we highlight recent developments in the design and functionality of supramolecular surface patterns, with special attention paid to those networks which are chiral or contain a high degree of porosity as well as to the reactivity, which is one of the most important recent developments in supramolecular surface chemistry. © 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.