Orthogonal supramolecular interaction motifs for functional monolayer architectures

Organization of molecules on surfaces is of utmost importance for the construction of functional materials. Non-covalent, weak and reversible supramolecular interactions provide this organization with high specificity and selectivity. The integration of different supramolecular systems is essential for the assembly of complex and functional architectures on surfaces. Self-assembly, in particular orthogonal self-assembly, is the main route to achieve these integrated architectures. This review article gives an overview of the recent developments of orthogonal supramolecular interactions on surfaces. The first part deals with the use of noncovalent interactions, including hydrogen bonding, metal coordination, electrostatics and host-guest interactions, to modify surfaces. The second part describes the combination of different orthogonal supramolecular interaction motifs for the generation of hybrid assemblies and materials.