Liu W, Tilley TD. Sterically controlled functionalization of carbon surfaces with -C6H4CH2X (X = OSO2Me or N3) groups for surface attachment of redox-active molecules.
LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2015;
31:1189-1195. [PMID:
25549529 DOI:
10.1021/la503796z]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Glassy carbon electrodes were modified by electrochemical reduction of a diazonium molecule ((i)Pr3SiOCH2C6H4N2(+)BF4(-)) featuring a triisopropylsilyl-protected benzylic hydroxyl group. This electrochemical process introduced a monolayer of (i)Pr3SiOCH2C6H4- groups onto the surface of the electrode. The bulky -Si(i)Pr3 protecting group not only prevents the uncontrolled growth of structurally ill-defined and electronically blocking polyphenylene multilayers, but also separates the phenyl groups in the monolayer. Thus, the void spaces between these aryl units should allow a better accommodation of sizable molecules. Removal of the -Si(i)Pr3 protecting groups by (n)Bu4NF exposed the reactive benzylic hydroxyl functionalities that can undergo further transformations to anchor functional molecules. As an example, redox-active ferrocene molecules were grafted onto the modified electrode via a sequence of mesylation, azidation, and copper-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions. The presence of ferrocenyl groups on the surface was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic and electrochemical studies. The resulting ferrocene-modified glassy carbon electrode exhibits cyclic voltammograms typical of surface-bound redox active species and remarkable electrochemical stability in an acidic aqueous environment.
Collapse