Canas-Ventura, M. E.Klappenberger, F.Clair, S.Pons, S.Kern, K.Brune, H.Strunskus, T.Woll, C.Fasel, R.Barth, J. V.2009-04-142009-04-142009-04-14200610.1063/1.2364478https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/37220WOS:000242002400054The adsorption of terephthalic acid [C6H4(COOH)(2), TPA] on a Pd(111) surface has been investigated by means of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy under ultrahigh vacuum conditions at room temperature. We find the coexistence of one- (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) molecular ordering. Our analysis indicates that the 1D phase consists of intact TPA chains stabilized by a dimerization of the self-complementary carboxyl groups, whereas in the 2D phase, consisting of deprotonated entities, the molecules form lateral ionic hydrogen bonds. The supramolecular growth dynamics and the resulting structures are explained by a self-limiting deprotonation process mediated by the catalytic activity of the Pd surface. Our models for the molecular ordering are supported by molecular mechanics calculations and a simulation of high resolution STM images.Supramolecular Architecture at Surfacestext::journal::journal article::research article