First-Principle DFT and MP2 Modeling of Infrared Reflection−Absorption Spectra of Oriented Helical Ethylene Glycol Oligomers

Saccharide-functionalized alkanethiols for fouling-resistant self-assembled monolayers: synthesis, monolayer properties, and antifouling behavior

We describe the synthesis of a series of mono-, di-, and trisaccharide-functionalized alkanethiols as well as the formation of fouling-resistant self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) from these. The SAMs were characterized using ellipsometry, wetting measurements, and infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRAS). We show that the structure of the carbohydrate moiety affects the packing density and that this also alters the alkane chain organization. Upon increasing the size of the sugar moieties (from mono- to di- and trisaccharides), the structural qualities of the monolayers deteriorated with increasing disorder, and for the trisaccharide, slow reorganization dynamics in response to changes in the environmental polarity were observed. The antifouling properties of these SAMs were investigated through protein adsorption experiments from buffer solutions as well as settlement (attachment) tests using two common marine fouling species, zoospores of the green macroalga Ulva linza and cypris larvae of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite. The SAMs showed overall good resistance to fouling by both the proteins and the tested marine organisms. To improve the packing density of the SAMs with bulky headgroups, we employed mixed SAMs where the saccharide-thiols are diluted with a filler molecule having a small 2-hydroxyethyl headgroup. This method also provides a means by which the steric availability of sugar moieties can be varied, which is of interest for specific interaction studies with surface-bound sugars. The results of the surface dilution study and the low nonspecific adsorption onto the SAMs both indicate the feasibility of this approach.

Structural analysis of HS(CD(2))(12)(O-CH(2)-CH(2))(6)OCH(3) monolayers on gold by means of polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy. progress of the reaction with bromine

A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on gold was formed with specifically perdeuterated hexaethylene glycol-terminated alkanethiol HS(CD(2))(12)(O-CH(2)-CH(2))(6)OCH(3) (D-OEG). The structure of the d-alkane and the oligoethylene glycol (OEG) parts of the molecule in a SAM was studied by means of polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy. The D-OEG monolayers are highly ordered and exist in a crystalline phase. The d-alkane chain adopts an all-trans conformation. Both, the d-alkane chain and long axis of the OEG part make an angle of 26.0 degrees +/- 1.5 degrees with respect to the surface normal, a value characteristic for the tilt of solid n-alkane thiols in the SAMs on Au. The positions of nu(as)(COC) and CH(2) wagging and rocking modes indicate a helical arrangement of the OEG chains. The D-OEG SAMs were exposed to 25 muM Br(2) in two ways: (i) by immersion into the Br(2) solution and (ii) in the galvanic cell Au|D-OEG SAM|25 muM Br(2) + 0.1 M Na(2)SO(4)|| 50 muM KBr + 0.1 M Na(2)SO(4)|Au. In the galvanic cell, the oxidant (Br(2)) is scavenged by a heterogeneous electron transfer reaction, slowing the reaction of D-OEG with Br(2). The slow progress of the reaction with Br(2) allowed us to draw conclusions about molecular rearrangements taking place during this reaction. The reaction with Br(2) starts on boundaries and/or defects present in the SAM. First, at the defect place, the alpha-C atom of the OEG chain reacts with Br(2) and the OEG part of the molecule is removed from the monolayer. In consequence an increase in disorder in the OEG part of the SAM is observed. The same mechanism of the reaction with Br(2) is applied for the d-dodecane alkanethiol part of the molecule. This reaction is slow, thus the order and the tilt of the hydrocarbon chain changes only a little during the reaction time.

Long-chain alkylthiol assemblies containing buried in-plane stabilizing architectures

A series of alkylthiol compounds were synthesized to study the formation and structure of complex self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) consisting of interchanging structural modules stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The chemical structure of the synthesized compounds, HS(CH(2))(15)CONH(CH(2)CH(2)O)(6)CH(2)CONH-X, where X refers to the extended chains of either -(CH(2))(n)CH(3) or -(CD(2))(n)CD(3), with n = 0, 1, 7, 8, 15, was confirmed by NMR and elemental analysis. The formation of highly ordered, methyl-terminated SAMs on gold from diluted ethanolic solutions of these compounds was revealed using contact angle goniometry, null ellipsometry, cyclic voltammetry, and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy. The experimental work was complemented with extensive DFT modeling of infrared spectra and molecular orientation. New assignments were introduced for both nondeuterated and deuterated compounds. The latter set of compounds also served as a convenient tool to resolve the packing, conformation, and orientation of the buried and extended modules within the SAM. Thus, it was shown that the lower alkyl portion together with the hexa(ethylene glycol) portion is stabilized by the two layers of lateral hydrogen bonding networks between the amide groups, and they provide a structurally robust support for the extended alkyls. The presented system can be considered to be an extension of the well-known alkyl SAM platform, enabling precise engineering of nanoscopic architectures on the length scale from a few to approximately 60 A for applications such as cell membrane mimetics, molecular nanolithography, and so forth.

Surface functionalization of germanium ATR devices for use in FTIR-biosensors

Biosensors based on intrinsic detection methods have attracted growing interest. The use of Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy with the attenuated internal total reflection (ATR) mode, in the biodetection context, requires appropriate surface functionalization of the ATR optical element. Here, we report the direct grafting of a thin organic layer (about 20 A depth) on the surface of a germanium crystal. This covering, constructed with novel amphiphilic molecules 2b (namely, 2,5,8,11,14,17,20-heptaoxadocosan-22-yl-3-(triethoxysilyl) propylcarbamate), is stable for several hours under phosphate buffered saline (PBS) flux and features protein-repulsive properties. Photografting of molecule 5 (namely, O-succinimidyl 4-(p-azidophenyl)butanoate) affords the activated ATR element, ready for the covalent fixation of receptors, penicillin recognizing proteins BlaR-CTD for instance. The different steps of the previous construction have been monitored by water contact angle (theta(w)) measurements, spectroscopic ellipsometry (covering depth), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) by using a fluorinated tag for the control of surface reactivity, and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy for the structural analysis of grafted molecules. Indeed, contrarily to silicon device, germanium device offers a broad spectral window (1000-4000 cm(-1)) and thus amide I and II absorption bands can be recorded. This work lays the foundations for the construction of novel FTIR biosensors.

Hydration of oligo(ethylene glycol) self-assembled monolayers studied using polarization modulation infrared spectroscopy

The interaction with water of protein-resistant monolayers (SAMs), self-assembled from (triethylene glycol) terminated thiol HS(CH2)11(OCH2CH2)3OMe solutions, was studied using in and ex situ polarization-modulated Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In particular, shifts in the position of the characteristic C-O-C stretching vibration were observed after the monolayers had been exposed to water. The shift in frequency increased when the SAM was observed in direct contact with a thin layer of water. It was found that the magnitude of the shift also depended on the surface coverage of the SAM. These findings suggest a rather strong interaction of oligo(ethylene glycol) SAMs with water and indicate the penetration of water into the upper region of the monolayer.