Adsorption behavior of asymmetric Pd pincer complexes on a Cu(111) surface.

We address the adsorption of asymmetric Pd pincer complexes on a Cu(111) surface by scanning tunneling microscopy. The structural asymmetry is manifested in the observation of two chiral enantiomers. To enable an unambiguous identification of individual constituents, three closely related complexes with small modifications are investigated in parallel. Thereby, methyl substituents determine attractive molecule-molecule interaction. Depending on their distribution, dimerization and tetramerization can be observed.