A long-range ordered array of copper tetrameric units embedded in an on-surface metal organic framework

We report on the assembly of a highly ordered array of copper tetrameric clusters, coordinated into a metal-organic network. The ordered cluster array has been achieved by the deposition of tetrahydroxyquinone molecules on the Cu(111) surface at room temperature, and subsequent thermally activated dehydrogenation with the formation of tetraoxyquinone tetra-anions with a 4 × 4 periodicity. The supramolecular organic network acts as a spacer for the highly ordered two-dimensional network of copper tetramers at the very surface.