Massive conformational changes during thermally induced self-metalation of 2H-tetrakis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl)-phenylporphyrin on Cu(111).

Based on a combined scanning tunnelling microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study we present detailed insights into pronounced changes of long-range order and intramolecular conformation during the self-metalation of 2H-5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl)-phenylporphyrin (2HTTBPP) to CuTTBPP on Cu(111). Upon metalation, the porphyrin literally "pops up" from the surface, due to a drastically reduced molecule-substrate interaction.