SYNTHESIS OF SELF-ASSEMBLING RESORCIN[4]ARENE TETRASULFIDE ADSORBATES

The synthesis of a new type of host adsorbate possessing a large resor cin[4]arene headgroup and four di-n-decyl sulfide chains underneath is described. The cross-sectional area of the alkyl chains is equal or l arger than that of the headgroups which makes these resorcin[4]arene t etrasulfides suitable for self-assembly onto gold surfaces to form wel l-packed monolayers of which the outer interface is composed of recept or sites and the alkyl chains underneath the cavity headgroups passiva te the gold surface. Resorcin[4]arene tetrasulfides with the following functionalities at the resorcin[4]arene headgroup were synthesized: m ethylene ether (the so-called cavitand), methyl ether, 2-fluoroethyl, several carboxyl esters, N-propylacetamide and hydroxy.