FT-IRAS OF ADSORBED ALKOXIDES - 1-PROPOXIDE ON CU(111)

Fourier-transform infrared reflection absorption spectra (FT-IRAS) hav e been obtained for 1-propoxide and a set of deuterated 1-propoxides a t saturation coverages on the Cu(111) surface. These stable species ar e formed by the reaction of 1-propanol with the preoxidized Cu(111) su rface. At elevated temperatures the propoxides undergo beta-hydride el imination and desorb as propanals. Temperature programmed reaction (TP R) spectra for the decomposition process reveal both a primary isotope effect and secondary isotope effects. The FT-IRAS spectra have been c ompared to the reflection infrared spectra of self-assembled monolayer s containing long alkyl chains. The spectra show evidence for both cry stalline-like packing and conformational disorder in the adlayer. This suggests the presence of both ordered and disordered domains of the a lkoxides on the Cu(111) surface.