Loosely packed self-assembled monolayers on gold generated from 2-alkyl-2-methylpropane-1,3-dithiols

A series of 2-alkyl-2-methylpropane-1,3-dithiol derivatives with increasing alkyl chain lengths (i.e., CH3(CH2)mC(CH3)[CH2SH]2, where m = 7, 9, 11, 13, 15) were synthesized and used to generate self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold. The resulting monolayers were analyzed by ellipsometry, contact angle goniometry, polarization modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These data were compared with those obtained on SAMs on gold derived from normal alkanethiols (CH3(CH2)(m+2)SH) and 2-monoalkylpropane-1,3-dithiols (CH3(CH2)(m)CH[CH2SH]2) having the same number of carbon atoms in the primary chain. The results demonstrate that the 2-alkyl-2-methylpropane-1,3-dithiols generate conformationally disordered monolayer films in which the density of alkyl chains is less than those generated from normal alkanethiols and the 2-monoalkylpropane-1,3-dithiols.     

Influence of alkyl chain length on the structure of dialkyldithiophosphinic Acid self-assembled monolayers on gold

We report the formation and characterization of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) based on dialkyldithiophosphinic acid adsorbates {[CH(3)(CH(2))(n)](2)P(S)SH (n = 5, 9, 11, 13, 15)} on gold substrates. SAMs were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Data show that there is a roughly 60:40 mixture of bidentate and monodentate adsorbates in each of these SAMs. The presence of monodentate adsorbates is due to the numerous and deep grain boundaries of the underlying gold substrate, which disrupt chelation. Comparing the characterization data of dialkyldithiophosphinic acid SAMs with those of analogous n-alkanethiolate SAMs shows that both SAMs follow a similar trend: The alkyl chains become increasingly organized and crystalline with increasing alkyl chain length. The alkyl groups of dialkyldithiophosphinic acid SAMs, however, are generally less densely packed than those of n-alkanethiolate SAMs. For short alkyl chains (hexyl, decyl, and dodecyl), the significantly lower packing densities cause the alkyl chains to be liquid-like and disorganized. Long-chain dialkyldithiophosphinic acid SAMs are only slightly less crystalline than analogous n-alkanethiolate SAMs.     

Preparation, characterization, and chemical stability of gold nanoparticles coated with mono-, bis-, and tris-chelating alkanethiols

A systematically varying series of monolayer-protected clusters (MPCs) was prepared by exposing small gold nanoparticles ( approximately 2 nm in diameter) to the following four adsorbates: n-octadecanethiol ( n - C18), 2-hexadecylpropane-1,3-dithiol ( C18C2), 2-hexadecyl-2-methylpropane-1,3-dithiol ( C18C3), and 1,1,1-tris(mercaptomethyl)heptadecane ( t - C18). The resultant MPCs were characterized by solubility studies, UV-vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). All of the MPCs were soluble in common organic solvents; moreover, analysis by TEM showed that the core dimensions were unaffected by exposure to any of the adsorbates. Separate studies by XPS revealed that the sulfur atoms in all MPCs were predominantly bound to the surface of gold (i.e., approximately 85% or better). Analysis by FT-IR showed that MPCs functionalized with n - C18 possessed alkyl chains having the greatest conformational order in both the solid-state and dispersed in solution; in contrast, those generated from the other three adsorbates were more liquid-like with reduced conformational order (or crystallinity). The rate of nanoparticle decomposition induced by cyanide ions was monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy. While MPCs functionalized with n - C18 showed the fastest rate of decomposition, those functionalized with C18C3 were the most resistant to decomposition. Overall, the following trend in chemical stability was observed, C18C3 > C18C2 > t - C18 > n - C18.     

Self-assembly of alkanols on Au(111) surfaces

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanols (1-C(N)H(2N+1)OH) with varying carbon-chain lengths (N = 10-30) have been systematically studied by means of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at the interfaces between alkanol solutions (or liquids) and Au(111) surfaces. The carbon skeletons were found to lie flat on the surfaces. This orientation is consistent with SAMs of alkanols on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and MoS2 surfaces, and also with alkanes on reconstructed Au(111) surfaces. This result differs from a prior report, which claimed that 1-decanol molecules (N = 10) stood on their ends with the OH polar groups facing the gold substrate. Compared to alkanes, the replacement of one terminal CH3 group with an OH group introduces new bonding features for alkanols owing to the feasibility of forming hydrogen bonds. While SAMs of long-chain alkanols (N > 18) resemble those of alkanes, in which the aliphatic chains make a greater contribution, hydrogen bonding plays a more important role in the formation of SAMs of short-chain alkanols. Thus, in addition to the titled lamellar structure, a herringbone-like structure, seldom seen in SAMs of alkanes, is dominant in alkanol SAMs for values of N < 18. The odd-even effect present in alkane SAMs is also present in alkanol SAMs. Thus, the odd N alkanols (alkanols with an odd number of carbon atoms) adopt perpendicular lamellar structures owing to the favorable interactions of the CH3 terminal groups, similar to the result observed for odd alkanes. In contrast to alkanes on Au(111) surfaces, for which no SAMs on an unreconstructed gold substrate were observed, alkanols are capable of forming SAMs on either the reconstructed or the unreconstructed gold surfaces. Structural models for the packing of alkanol molecules on Au(111) surfaces have been proposed, which successfully explain these experimental observations.     

新型偶氮苯硫醇衍生物自组装膜的制备与结构表征

自组装单分子膜(ＳＡＭｓ)是近年来引起广泛注意的一种稳定的、二维有序的、致密的有机超薄膜体系,由于其优越的性能,在润滑、吸附、防腐、电化学及微电子等领域中显示出广阔的应用前景[1～4].自组装单分子膜是使用含有各种活性官能团(如-ＣＯＯＨ,-ＳＨ,-Ｓ-Ｓ-,-ＯＨ,-ＣＮ等)的分子,以化学键的形式与相应的基底(如Ａｕ,Ａｇ,Ｃｕ,Ｐｔ,Ｓｉ,Ｍｉｃａ等)相互作用从而自发地形成自组装膜.根据不同的研究或应用目的合理设计组装分子的结构及基底表面,从而得到具有所需功能的自组装单分子膜是近年来界面科学和材料科学等领域研究的热点之一.…     

Rationally designed ligands that inhibit the aggregation of large gold nanoparticles in solution

Hexadecanethiol (n-C16), 2,2-dimethylhexadecane-1-thiol (DMC16), and the multidentate thiol-based ligands 2-tetradecylpropane-1,3-dithiol (C16C2), 2-methyl-2-tetradecylpropane-1,3-dithiol (C16C3), and 1,1,1-tris(mercaptomethyl)pentadecane (t-C16) were evaluated for their ability to stabilize large gold nanoparticles (>15 nm) in organic solution. Citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles (20-50 nm) treated with the ligands were extracted from aqueous solution and dispersed into toluene. The degree of aggregation of the gold nanoparticles was monitored visually and further confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The bidentate ligands (C16C2 and C16C3) and particularly the tridentate ligand (t-C16) showed enhanced abilities to inhibit the aggregation of large gold nanoparticles in organic solution. For gold nanoparticles modified with these multidentate ligands, bound thiolate (S2p3/2 binding energy of 162 eV) was the predominant sulfur species (>85%) as evaluated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Although an entropy-based resistance to ordering of the loosely packed surfactant layers was initially considered to be a plausible mechanism for the enhanced stabilization afforded by the multidentate ligands, when taken as a whole, the data presented here support a model in which the enhanced stabilization arises largely (if not solely) from the multidentate chelate effect.     

Self-assembled monolayers derived from a double-chained monothiol having chemically dissimilar chains

The structure and conformation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) derived from the adsorption of a specifically designed double-chained partially fluorinated thiol having the formula 12,12,13,13,14,14,15,15,16,16,17,17,18,18,19,19,19-heptadecafluoro -2-tetradecylnona-decane-1-thiol ( 2) onto the surface of evaporated gold were examined by ellipsometry, contact angle goniometry, polarization modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results were compared to those of SAMs generated from normal hexadecanethiol ( 1) and a structurally related single-chained partially fluorinated thiol having the formula 12,12,13,13,14,14,15,15,16,16,17,17,18,18,19,19,19-heptadecafluorononadecane-1-thiol ( 3). Collectively, the studies demonstrate that the double-chained adsorbate 2 forms SAMs on gold in which the alkyl chains are less densely packed and less conformationally ordered than those in the SAMs derived from each of the single-chained adsorbates. Furthermore, the fluorocarbon moieties in the SAMs derived from 2 are more tilted from the surface normal than those in the SAMs derived from 3. The low values of contact angle hysteresis suggest, however, that the double-chained adsorbate 2 generates homogeneous monolayer films on the surface of gold.     

含酰胺结构的巯基自组装膜的设计与结构表征

提出了一种简便通用的合成巯基化合物的途径，以分子中的羧基CO2H为起始基团，与2-流基乙胺的氨基选择性缩合；合成了一系列具有RC（O）NHCH2CH2SH（R分别为偶氯苯衍生物，双炔衍生物及直链烷基）结构的化合物，并用接触角测量，电化学和掠角反射红外光谱（GIR-IR）等手段对这些化合物在金表面形成的自组装单分子膜进行了表征。发现4-（N－（2‘-巯基已基））酰胺偶氮苯的自组装膜表现出良好的电活性，电化学测定表面浓度为4．21×10(－10)mol·cm(-2)．当R为烷基链时，随烷基链的增长，膜的致密度与有序度增加GIR-IR证明在自组装腹中CH3（CH2）6C（O）NHCH2CH2SH的C＝O和N－H键与Au表面平行，分子轴线与Au表面近似垂直．     

Packing density of HS(CH2)(n)COOH self-assembled monolayers

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of HS(CH(2))(n)COOH, n = 5, 10, 15 deposited from ethanol solution onto gold are prepared by five approaches, and their packing densities are evaluated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. The five approaches are: (1) direct deposition; (2) acetic-acid-assisted deposition; (3) butyl-amine-assisted deposition; (4) displacement of a preformed HS(CH(2))(n)CH(3) (n = 5, 10, 15) SAMs; and (5) co-deposition with HS(CH(2))(n)CH(3) (n = 5, 10, 15). Packing density metrics are calculated from measurements of SAM and substrate photoemission intensities and their attenuations by two methods. In one case the attenuated photoemissions are expressed as a ratio relative to comparable measurements on an experimental HS(CH(2))(n)CH(3) model system. In the other case a new method is introduced where a calculated attenuation based on theoretical random coil and extended chain models is used as the reference to determine a packing density fraction. Packing densities are also correlated with the S2p(Au-bonded):Au4f peak area ratios and with shifts in the C1s binding energies. SAMs prepared by the direct deposition are a partial multilayer where a second molecular layer is physisorbed onto the SAM and not removable by solvent washing. The addition of acetic acid to the deposition solution disrupts dimer associations of HS(CH(2))(n)COOH in solution and at the surface of the monolayer and yields the most ordered monolayer with the highest density of -COOH groups. The addition of butyl amine results in a labile ammonium carbonate ion pair formation but results in a lower packing density in the SAM. The displacement of the preformed HS(CH(2))(n)CH(3) SAM and the co-deposition of HS(CH(2))(n)CH(3) with HS(CH(2))(n)COOH result in SAMs with little incorporation of the -COOH component.     

Study on self-assembled monolayers of functionalized azobenzene thiols on gold: XPS,electrochemical properties,and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 4-acetamino-4'-(4-mercaptobutoxy)azobenzene (CH3)CONH-ph-N=N-ph-O(CH2)(4)SH, abbr. aaAzoC4SH) and 4-mercaptobutoxy azobenzene (ph-N=N-ph-O(CH2)(4)SH, abbr. AzoC4SH) on a gold surface have been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), FT Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. A surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active system with a "sandwiched" structure of Ag/R-Azo-C4S-/Au was conveniently obtained by the method of Tollen's test. The relationship between the SERS effect and the structural nature of the system indicates that the enhancement correlates to both the silver islands above and the gold substrate underneath. The redox behaviors of the self-assembly on gold electrodes showed that the SAMs of the two compounds exhibit well-behaved voltammetric responses in a Britton-Robinson buffer corresponding to the irreversible two-electron, two-proton reduction-oxidation of azobenzene. The apparent electron-transfer rate kinetics is very sluggish, and the rate constant k(app) of aaAzoC4SH/Au (1.34 x 10(-6) s(-1)) is lower than that of AzoC4SH/Au (1.63 x 10(-4) s(-1)), which may be attributed to the different spatial restriction of close-packing structures on the conformational change accompanied by electron and proton transfer in the SAMs.     

Protein adsorption on oligo(ethylene glycol)-terminated alkanethiolate self-assembled monolayers: The molecular basis for nonfouling behavior

A study of protein resistance of oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG), HS(CH2)11(OCH2CH2)nOH (n = 2, 4, and 6), self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au(111) surfaces is presented here. Hydroxyl-terminated OEG-SAMs are chosen to avoid the hydrophobic effect observed with methyl-terminated OEG-SAMs, particularly at high packing densities. The structure of the OEG-SAM surfaces is controlled by adjusting the assembly solvent. These SAMs were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Protein adsorption on these surfaces was investigated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). OEG-SAMs assembled from mixed ethanol and water solutions show higher packing density on gold than those from pure ethanol solution. For EG2OH- and EG4OH-SAMs, proteins (i.e., fibrinogen and lysozyme) adsorb more on the densely packed SAMs prepared from mixed ethanol and water solutions, while EG6OH-SAMs generally resist protein adsorption regardless of the assembly solvent used.     

Novel tripod ligands for prickly self-assembled monolayers

The new tridentate thioether ligands PhSi(CH2SMe)3 (1) and Ph-p-C6H4Si(CH2SMe)3 (2) have been synthesised and used for the preparation of the chelates fac-[W(kappa3-1)(CO)3] and fac-[W(kappa3-2)(CO)3], which were characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 and 2 were used as tripodal adsorbate molecules for the fabrication of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold. Film formation from solution was investigated in situ by second harmonic generation (SHG) and ellipsometry, which revealed a two-stepped process (fast adsorption, followed by slow film ordering). SAMs of 2 on gold were further investigated by ex situ methods, viz. high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HRXPS), Fourier transform infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (FTIRRAS), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The latter two methods indicated dense packing of the tripodal anchor groups on the surface, with a substantially lower density of the biphenyl pricks. HRXPS showed three different binding states of sulfur, including a standard thiolate-type and a coordination-type state.     

An Experimental and Theoretical Approach to Investigate the Effect of Chain Length on Aminothiol Adsorption and Assembly on Gold

Despite the numerous studies on the self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkylthiols on gold, the mechanisms involved, especially the nature and influence of the thiol–gold interface are still under debate. In this work the adsorption of aminothiols on Au(111) surfaces has been studied by using surface IR and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) as well as by density functional theory (DFT) modeling. Two aminothiols were used, cysteamine (CEA) and mercaptoundecylamine (MUAM), which contain two and eleven carbon atoms, respectively. By combining experimental and theoretical methods, it was possible to draw a molecular picture of the thiol–gold interface. The long‐chain aminothiol produced better ordered SAMs, but, interestingly, the XPS data showed different sulfur binding environments depending on the alkyl chain length; an additional peak at low binding energy was observed upon CEA adsorption, which indicates the presence of sulfur in a different environment. DFT modeling showed that the positions of the sulfur atoms in the SAMs on gold with similar unit cells [(2√3×2√3)R30°] depended on the length of the alkyl chain. Short‐chain alkylthiol SAMs were adsorbed more strongly than long‐chain thiol SAMs and were shown to induce surface reconstruction by extracting atoms from the surface, possibly forming adatom/vacancy combinations that lead to the additional XPS peak. In the case of short alkylthiols, the thiol–gold interface governs the layer, CEA adsorbs strongly, and the mechanism is closer to single‐molecule adsorption than self‐assembly, whereas for long chains, interactions between alkyl chains drive the system to self‐assembly, leading to a higher level of SAM organization and restricting the influence of the sulfur–gold interface.     

新型偶氮苯硫醇衍生物自组装膜的制备与结构表征

Self Assembled Monolayers(SAMs) of a series of mercapto contained azobenzene derivatives with the structure of CnH2n+1AzoO(CH 2)mSH (where n =4,6,8,10,12; with m =3,5 respectively) were prepared and characterized. Wettability measurement of water on the SAMs demonstrates that molecular packing density in the monolayers increases while the alkyl chain in the molecules is lengthened. Both the n and m values have similar contribution to the wetting property of SAMs. The RA IR spectra reveal that the alkyl chains in the SAMs tilt away dramatically from the surface normal direction with the increase in their length. However, the orientation of azobenzene moiety is found to be influenced slightly by the alkyl chain length, which is due to the tenderness of the molecule.     

Ancillary ligand functionalization of cyanide-bridged S = 6 Fe(III)4Ni(II)4 complexes for molecule-based electronics

Treatment of 1-chloro-6-iodohexane or 1-chloro-10-iododecane with lithium tris(pyrazolyl)methanide, followed by potassium thioacetate, affords bifunctional 1-S(acetyl)-tris(pyrazolyl)alkanes (L) (pz)3C(CH2)nSAc (n = 6, 1; 10, 2). Magnetic studies of {[(pzTp)Fe(III)(CN)3]4[Ni(II)L]4[OTf]4}.solvent (4, L = 1; 5, L = 2) boxes suggest that -(CH2)6 chains (4) limit intermolecular interactions while -(CH2)10 chains in 5 introduce crystallographic disorder and a distribution of relaxation times; 4 and 5 exhibit slow relaxation of the magnetization.     

Packing density and structure effects on energy-transfer dynamics in argon collisions with organic monolayers

A combined experimental and molecular-dynamics simulation study has been used to investigate energy-transfer dynamics of argon atoms when they collide with n-alkanethiols adsorbed to gold and silver substrates. These surfaces provide the opportunity to explore how surface structure and packing density of alkane chains affect energy transfer in gas-surface collisions while maintaining the chemical nature of the surface. The chains pack standing up with 12 degrees and 30 degrees tilt angles relative to the surface normal and number densities of 18.9 and 21.5 A(2)molecule on the silver and gold substrates, respectively. For 7-kJmol argon scattering, the two surfaces behave equivalently, fully thermalizing all impinging argon atoms. In contrast, these self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are not equally efficient at absorbing the excess translational energy from high-energy, 35 and 80 kJmol, argon collisions. When high-energy argon atoms are scattered from a SAM on silver, the fraction of atoms that reach thermal equilibrium with the surface and the average energy transferred to the surface are lower than for analogous SAMs on gold. In the case of argon atoms with 80 kJmol of translational energy scattering from long-chain SAMs, 60% and 45% of the atoms detected have reached thermal equilibrium with the monolayers on gold and silver surfaces, respectively. The differences in the scattering characteristics are attributed to excitation efficiencies of different types of surface modes. The high packing density of alkyl chains on silver restricts certain low-energy degrees of freedom from absorbing energy as efficiently as the lower-density monolayers. In addition, molecular-dynamics simulations reveal that the extent to which argon penetrates into the monolayer is related to packing density. For argon atoms with 80-kJmol incident energy, we find 16% and 7% of the atoms penetrate below the terminal methyl groups of C(10) SAMs on gold and silver, respectively.     

Tripodal Binding Units for Self-Assembled Monolayers on Gold: A Comparison of Thiol and Thioether Headgroups

Whereas thiols and thioethers are frequently used as binding units of oligodentate precursor molecules to fabricate self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on coinage metal and semiconductor surfaces, their use for tridentate bonding configuration is still questionable. Against this background, novel tridentate thiol ligands, PhSi(CH(2)SH)(3) (PTT) and p-Ph-C(6)H(4)Si(CH(2)SH)(3) (BPTT), were synthesized and used as tripodal adsorbate molecules for the fabrication of SAMs on Au(111). These SAMs were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. The PTT and BPTT films were compared with the analogous systems comprised of same tripodal ligands with thioether instead of thiol binding units (anchors). XPS and NEXAFS data suggest that the binding uniformity, packing density, and molecular alignment of the thiol-based ligands in the respective SAMs is superior to their thioether counterparts. In addition, the thiol-based films showed significantly lower levels of contamination. Significantly, the quality of the PTT SAMs on Au(111) was found to be even higher than that of the films formed from the respective monodentate counterpart, benzenethiol. The results obtained allow for making some general conclusions on the specific character of molecular self-assembly in the case of tridentate ligands.     

末端碳链长度对偶氮苯自组装膜结构的影响

The end-group dominated molecular orientation in the azobenzene self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), CnAzoC2SH (n=1-4), on gold was evaluated for the first time by grazing incidence reflection absorption FTIR spectroscopy (RA-FTIR). All these azobenzene SAMs have highly-organized and closely-parked structures, with the molecule tilting away gradually from surface normal direction with the increase of end group alkyl length.     

Mimicking the properties of antifreeze glycoproteins: synthesis and characterization of a model system for ice nucleation and antifreeze studies

Synthesis of beta-D-Gal-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-GalNAc coupled to HOC2H4NHCOC15H30SH is described. This compound was coadsorbed at various proportions with C2H5OC2H4NHCOC15H30SH to form statistically mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold in an attempt to mimic the properties of the active domain in antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGPs). The monolayers were characterized by null ellipsometry, contact angle goniometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy. The disaccharide compound adsorbed preferentially, and SAMs prepared at a solution molar ratio >0.3 displayed total wetting. The mixed SAMs showed well-organized alkyl chains up to a disaccharide surface fraction of 0.8. The amount of gauche conformers in the alkyls increased rapidly above this point, and the monolayers became disordered and less densely packed. Furthermore, the generated mixed SAMs were subjected to water vapor at constant relative humidity and the subsequent ice crystallization on a cooled substrate was monitored via an optical microscope. Interestingly, rapid crystallization occurred within a narrow range of temperatures on mixed SAMs with a high disaccharide content, surface fraction >0.3. The reported crystallization temperatures and the ice layer topography were compared with results obtained for a much simpler reference system composed of -OH/-CH3 terminated n-alkanethiols in order to account for changes in topography of the water/ice layer with surface energy. Although preliminary, the obtained results can be useful in the search for the molecular mechanism behind the antifreeze activity of AFGPs.     

PM-IRRAS investigation of self-assembled monolayers grafted onto SiO2/Au substrates

Polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) was used to characterize self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Novel ester-terminated organosilicon coupling agents possessing a trialkoxysilyl headgroup and a urea group in the linear alkyl chains (4) were synthesized and grafted onto SiO(2)/Au substrates (SiO(2) film of 200 ? thickness deposited on gold mirror). This composite substrate allowed the anchoring of SAMs and preserved the high reflectivity for infrared radiation. PM-IRRAS spectra with very high signal-to-noise ratios have been obtained in the mid-infrared spectral range allowing monitoring of the grafted SAMs. Quantitative analysis of the measured signal is described to compare PM-IRRAS and conventional IRRAS spectra. This quantitative analysis has been validated since the band intensities in the corrected PM-IRRAS and conventional IRRAS spectra are identical. Orientation information on the different functional groups has been obtained comparing the corrected PM-IRRAS spectrum with the one calculated using isotropic optical constants of ester-terminated organosilicon coupling agents 4. The carbonyls of the urea groups are preferentially parallel to the substrate surface favoring intermolecular hydrogen bonding and consequently a close packing of the molecules attached to the surface. By contrast, the alkyl chains present gauche defects and are poorly oriented.