Abstract: Functional molecules are versatile building blocks for self-assembly on solid surfaces and precursors for the on-surface synthesis of low-dimensional architectures [1]. These surface-confined approaches provide access to structures difficult to obtain by conventional synthesis, with control down to the atomic scale. Heteroatom incorporation offers an additional means of tailoring their structural and electronic properties.

This presentation will highlight our work on molecular self-assembly and thermally activated reactions on coinage-metal surfaces under ultrahigh vacuum, focusing on O-modified porphyrins and BN-substituted carbon networks investigated by scanning probe microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. O-annulation influences both the self-assembly and electronic structure of porphyrins [2]. In 2D covalent organic frameworks on Ag(111) and Au(111), BN substitution increases the electronic gap and modifies the kagome band structure, with further tuning enabled by the network periodicity [3]. Additionally, BN-substituted amorphous carbon monolayers are discussed [4]. These results demonstrate heteroatom incorporation as a versatile strategy for engineering low-dimensional molecular and carbon-based architectures on surfaces.

[1] Grill, Hecht, Nat. Chem. 12, 115 (2020)

[2] Deyerling et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 24, e202412978 (2025)

[3] Tömekçe et al., Small 22, e73718 (2026)

[4] Tömekçe et al., Small Struct. 7, e202500742 (2026)

Short Bio:

Willi (Wilhelm) Auwärter is Professor of Molecular Engineering at Functional Interfaces at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). He studied physics at the University of Zurich (1993–1999), receiving his PhD there in 2003, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and EPFL. He joined TUM in 2007, became a Tenure Track Assistant Professor and DFG Heisenberg Professor in 2015, and was promoted to Associate Professor (W3) in 2020. His research explores atomically precise nanoscale systems at tailored interfaces, with particular emphasis on scanning probe microscopy, on-surface synthesis, molecular self-assembly, porphyrins, and two-dimensional materials such as hexagonal boron nitride. His achievements include an ERC Consolidator Grant (2013), the Gaede Prize and Hans Fischer Memorial Award (2015), and influential work on boron nitride monolayers and single-molecule functionality.