Surface-Supported Supramolecular Pentamers

Chiral pentamers of all-trans-retinoic acid molecules have been prepared on Au(111) surfaces and on a molecular monolayer. Over a range of coverages, pentamers are the building blocks of larger arrays that become increasingly enantiopure. The stability of pentamers is analyzed from experiments on an isomer and a more reactive substrate as well as from density functional theory. The linear shape of the molecule and suitable densities are crucial for the formation of pentamers, driven by cyclic hydrogen bonding between carboxylic acid moieties.