On-surface Ullmann polymerization via intermediate organometallic networks on Ag(111)

The role of organometallic intermediates during on-surface polymerization via Ullmann coupling was studied on Ag(111). The polymerization progress was monitored by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) was used to characterize organometallic and covalent networks and to identify the temperature regimes for organometallic and covalent bond formation.