FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED REFLECTION SPECTROSCOPY STUDIES OF SPONTANEOUS ORGANIZATION OF LONG CHAIN N-ALKANOIC ACIDS ON ALUMINUM OXIDE.

This paper reports efforts in the application of Fourier Transform external reflection infrared spectroscopy and optical wavelength ellipsometry to the structures of short length (C//8-C//2//4) polymethylene chains attached to surfaces by carboxylic acid groups. The results show that these chains can pack closely, as in bulk crystallites, and appear to be in fully extended trans-zig-zag conformations. In addition there appears to be an orientation of the chain axis at near normal with a several degree tilt from the surface normal. Chains terminally substituted with vinyl and propargyl groups have also been examined and the average orientation of these groups determined. Adsorption studies were carried out using native oxide covered evaporated aluminum oxide films.