The structure of methylthiolate and ethylthiolate monolayers on Au(111): Absence of the (√3 × √3)R30° phase

► We have studied the structure of methylthiolate (MT) and ethylthiolate (ET) monolayers. ► Both thiolate monolayers form the 3 × 4 superstructure at room temperature with saturation coverage. ► The common (√3 × √3)R30° phase for the longer chain thiols does not exist for either MT or ET monolayer.