SELF-ASSEMBLED MONOLAYERS OF RESORCIN[4]ARENE TETRASULFIDES ON GOLD

A new type of host adsorbates has been developed which possess a resor cin[4]arene headgroup with four di-n-decyl sulfide chains underneath. Self-assembled monolayers of these adsorbates with various functionali ties at the head groups, i.e., methylene ether (the so-called cavitand ), methyl ether, 2-fluoroethyl, hydroxyl, N-propylacetamide, and sever al carboxyl esters, on gold were characterized with polarized infrared external reflectance spectroscopy (PIERS), X-ray photoelectron spectr oscopy (XPS), surface plasmon spectroscopy (SPS), and contact angle an d electrochemical measurements. Highly organized monolayers are formed from 1 mM solution at 60 degrees C by adsorbates that have headgroups smaller or equal to the cross-sectional area occupied by the eight al kyl chains underneath (less than or equal to 160 Angstrom(2)).