Spatially controlled surface immobilization of nucleophiles via trapping of photo-generated thioaldehydes

A novel and very simple photochemical strategy that utilizes light as a facile means to provide spatiotemporal control for the direct covalent immobilization of nucleophiles is presented. The concept is based upon the efficient trapping of photogenerated thioaldehydes by amines, hydroxylamines, and thiols. Surface patterns of polymers and small molecules bearing pendant amine-, hydroxylamine- or thiol moieties were successfully generated and imaged in a time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) investigation.