Molecular recognition on a cavitand-functionalized silicon surface.
A Si(100) surface featuring molecular recognition properties was obtained by covalent functionalization with a tetraphosphonate cavitand (Tiiii), able to complex positively charged species. Tiiii cavitand was grafted onto the Si by photochemical hydrosilylation together with 1-octene as a spatial spectator. The recognition properties of the Si-Tiiii surface were demonstrated through two independent analytical techniques, namely XPS and fluorescence spectroscopy, during the course of reversible complexation-guest exchange-decomplexation cycles with specifically designed ammonium and pyridinium salts. Control experiments employing a Si(100) surface functionalized with a structurally similar, but complexation inactive, tetrathiophosphonate cavitand (TSiiii) demonstrated no recognition events. This provides evidence for the complexation properties of the Si-Tiiii surface, ruling out the possibility of nonspecific interactions between the substrate and the guests. The residual Si-O(-) terminations on the surface replace the guests' original counterions, thus stabilizing the complex ion pairs. These results represent a further step toward the control of self-assembly of complex supramolecular architectures on surfaces.
Dipartimento di Chimica Organica e Industriale, University of Parma and INSTM UdR Parma, V.le G. P. Usberti 17/A, 43100 Parma, Italy.
Elisa
E
Biavardi
Maria
M
Favazza
Alessandro
A
Motta
Ignazio L
IL
Fragalà
Chiara
C
Massera
Luca
L
Prodi
Marco
M
Montalti
Monica
M
Melegari
Guglielmo G
GG
Condorelli
Enrico
E
Dalcanale