Effects of protonation of pyridine moieties on the 2D assembly of porphyrin layers on Au(111) at electrochemical interfaces.

Unique molecular assemblies of a porphyrin derivative are prepared on Au(111) by controlling the protonation/unprotonation of the pyridine groups. The porphyrin derivative, driven by the protonation of the pyridine groups, can provide characteristic assemblies with specific molecular conformations on an Au(111) surface at the electrochemical interface. In situ scanning tunneling microscopy images revealed clear differences in the adlayer structures for the unprotonated and the protonated forms of the molecules that depended upon the electrochemical potential.