We present a systematic study of metal−organic honeycomb lattices assembled from simple ditopic molecular bricks and Co atoms on Ag(111). This approach enables us to fabricate size-and shape-controlled open nanomeshes with pore dimensions up to 5.7 nm. The networks are thermally robust while extending over µm 2 large areas as single domains. They are shape resistant in the presence of further deposited materials and represent templates to organize guest species and realize molecular rotary systems.

The confinement of surface-state electrons by a complex supramolecular network is studied with low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and rationalized by electronic structure calculations using a boundary element method. We focus on the self-assembly of dicarbonitrile-sexiphenyl molecules on Ag(111) creating an open kagomé topology tessellating the surface into pores with different size and symmetry. This superlattice imposes a distinct surface electronic structure modulation, as observed by tunneling spectroscopy and thus acts as a dichotomous array of quantum corrals. The inhomogenous lateral electronic density distribution in the chiral cavities is reproduced by an effective pseudopotential model. Our results demonstrate the engineering of ensembles of elaborate quantum resonance states by molecular self-assembly at surfaces.

The confinement of Ag(111) surface state electrons by self-assembled, nanoporous metal-organic networks is studied using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and electronic structure calculations. The honeycomb networks of Co ligands and dicarbonitrile-oligophenyl linkers induce surface resonance states confined in the cavities with a tunable energy level alignment. We find that electron scattering on the molecules is repulsive and stronger than on the weakly attractive Co and that the networks represent periodic arrays of coupled quantum dots featuring uniform electronic levels.