Self-assembled monolayers with oligo-ethyleneoxy linkages on flat and curved gold surfaces

The preparation and properties of the self-assembled monolayers with oligo-ethyleneoxy linkages on flat and curved gold surfaces have been described. The electrochemical properties of the self-assembled monolayers of a tetrathiafulvalenyl-alkane monothiol and the ether-substituted alkane monothiol adsorbed onto gold electrodes showed no difference in their redox potentials and surface coverages. In contrast, the difference between the alkyl chain and the oxy-alkyl chain in the redox potentials and surface coverages was found in the self-assembled monolayers of the tetrathiafulvalenyl-tetrathiol and the ether-substituted tetrathiol adsorbed onto gold electrodes. The reaction of a thiol bearing oligo-ethyleneoxy linkages with octanethiolate-stabilized gold clusters gave the new oxy-Au clusters containing ether linkages which were dissolved in nonpolar and polar solvents.