Reversible lability by in situ reaction of self-assembled monolayers

A new method is described for preparing controllably displaceable monolayers by using a carboxyl-functionalized self-assembled monolayer and in situ Fischer esterification, simple and reversible chemical reaction. The generality of reversible lability is examined by applying the in situ esterification reaction to the structurally distinct carboxyl-functionalized molecule 3-mercapto-1-adamantanecarboxylic acid.