Step-by-step on-surface synthesis: from manganese phthalocyanines to their polymeric form

On-surface synthesis of tetracyanobenzene molecules with Mn atoms is presented. From metal-organic coordination networks at room temperature, Mn-phthalocyanines and finally small domains of polymeric Mn-phthalocyanines are formed upon annealing on the Ag(111) surface. Step-by-step on-surface reaction is studied in situ by scanning tunnelling microscopy under ultra-high vacuum.