Erecting buckybowls onto their edge: 2D self-assembly of terphenylcorannulene on the Cu(111) surface

A 2D self-assembly of a C32H12 buckybowl on the Cu(111) surface has been studied by means of scanning tunnelling microscopy. Additional aromatic rings at the rim of the corannulene core cause the bowl-shaped molecule to stand on its edge. This adsorption mode allows distinct π–π and C–H⋯π interactions between the convex bowl surfaces as well as between the hydrogen-terminated rim and the convex bowl faces.