Guanine- and potassium-based two-dimensional coordination network self-assembled on Au(111)

In this study, through the choice of the well-known G-K biological coordination system, bioligand-alkali metal coordination has for the first time been brought onto an inert Au(111) surface. Using the interplay between high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculations, we show that the mobile G molecules on Au(111) can effectively coordinate with the K atoms, resulting in a metallosupramolecular porous network that is stabilized by a delicate balance between hydrogen bonding and metal-organic coordination.