It was found for the first time that a molecule could induce a displacive reconstruction in the substrate on which it was adsorbed. This was observed in a refined structure determination of Rh(111)(2 x 2)-C2H3, in which C2H3 (ethylidyne) was adsorbed on the Rh(111) single-crystal surface. This result strengthens an earlier hypothesis that catalytic reactions were usually accompanied by distortions in the catalyst, which could profoundly affect reaction rates and selectivities.

Molecule-Induced Displacive Reconstruction in a Substrate Surface - Ethylidyne Adsorbed on Rh(111) Studied by Low-Energy-Electron Diffraction. A.Wander, M.A.Van Hove, G.A.Somorjai: Physical Review Letters, 1991, 67, 626-8