Halogen bonded two-dimensional supramolecular assemblies studied by high resolution scanning tunneling microscopy

We described the formation of self-organized two-dimensional (2D) assemblies of N-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro4-iodophenyl)hexadecylamine and 1-dodecyl-imidazole at the liquid/HOPG interface. The two-dimensional assemblies showed a fishbone-like pattern structure as revealed by high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy. Although different interactions can drive the formation of 2D assemblies, as far as we know, this is the first report on halogen bond-driven 2D assemblies.