Figure 1

Reaction pathway for 4,4″-diiodo-m-terphenyl (DITP). Deposition onto Ag(111) or Ag(110) surfaces at 300 K, results in iodine dissociation and formation of a metal-organic intermediate structure. After annealing the surfaces at 460 K Ag atoms are eliminated from the intermediate, creating covalent bonds between molecular subunits.