4-Mercaptophenylboronic acid SAMs on gold: comparison with SAMs derived from thiophenol, 4-mercaptophenol, and 4-mercaptobenzoic acid.

We report the formation and characterization of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) derived from the adsorption of 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid (MPBA) on gold. For comparison, SAMs derived from the adsorption of thiophenol (TP), 4-mercaptophenol (MP), and 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA) were also examined. The structure and properties of the SAMs were evaluated by ellipsometry, contact-angle goniometry, polarization-modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Specifically, ellipsometry was used to assess the formation of monolayer films, and contact angle measurements were used to determine the surface hydrophilicity and homogeneity. Separately, PM-IRRAS was used to evaluate the molecular composition and orientation as well as the intermolecular hydrogen bonding within the SAMs. Finally, XPS was used to evaluate the film composition and surface coverage (i.e., packing density), which was observed to increase in the following order: TP < MP < MPBA < MBA. A rationalization for the observed packing differences is presented. The XPS data indicate further that ultrahigh vacuum conditions induce the partial dehydration of MPBA SAMs with the concomitant formation of surface boronic anhydride species. Overall, the analytical data collectively show that the MPBA moieties in the SAMs exist in the acid form rather than the anhydride form under ambient laboratory conditions. Furthermore, stability studies find that MPBA SAMs are surprisingly labile in basic solution, where the terminal B-C bonds are cleaved by the attack of hydroxide ion and strongly basic amine nucleophiles. The unanticipated lability observed here should be considered by those wishing to use MPBA moieties in carbohydrate-sensing applications.