SELF-ASSEMBLED MONOLAYERS OF BIS[10-(FERROCENYLCARBONYL)DECYL] DISULFIDE IN THE ALUMINUM CHLORIDE-1-METHYL-3-ETHYLIMIDAZOLIUM CHLORIDE ROOM-TEMPERATURE MOLTEN-SALT

Self-assembled monolayers of bis[10-(ferrocenylcarbonyl)decyl] disulfide (I) on vapor deposited gold are persistent in the neutral aluminum chloride-1-methyl-3-ethylimidazolium chloride molten salt at room temperature with a t1/2 of up to 50 h. The electrochemical properties of these modified electrodes observed in this molten salt are comparable to those seen in aqueous perchloric acid and acetonitrile. The E1/2 of surface bound I is 0.52 V vs. the Al(III)/Al couple in the 66.7-33.3 mole percent (m/o) melt. Self-assembled monolayers of I desorb from the Au surface when the melt is made either acidic or basic. Adsorption of I on Au also takes place in a neutral melt solution of I, but the resulting surface coverage is generally less than that obtained during modification in conventional solvents.