Organic Chemistry in Two Dimensions: Surface-Functionalized Polymers and Self-Assembled Monolayer Films

Organic chemistry is largely derived from studies of the reactivity and properties of molecules in homogeneous solution, and much of the intuition of organic chemists is based on the behavior of molecules in solution. Surfaces and interfaces that is, quasi two-dimensional assemblies of molecules or functional groups provide environments that can be quite different from those of solutions, and chemical intuition derived from solution is often wrong when applied to processes occurring at surfaces. The central focus of our program in organic surface chemistry is on new science that is, understanding and controlling the phenomena characteristic of surfaces, interfaces, and thin films. A charm of surface chemistry is, however, its ability to combine new science with relevance to a wide range of technological problems, and we hope to contribute to these applied areas as well.