Successive coordination of palladium(II)-ions and terpyridine-ligands to a pyridyl-terminated self-assembled monolayer on gold

► The deposition and characterization of a novel pyridine terminated SAM is reported. ► Pd(II) coordination was performed and controlled by reversible protonation of the SAM. ► Spatial orientation of the SAM was investigated by angle-dependent NEXAFS-studies. ► Coordination of a terpyridine ligand to the Pd(II)-ions was performed and analyzed.