A comparison of boron hydride- and hydrocarbon-based thiol derivatives assembled on gold surfaces

The elements carbon and boron uniquely form extensive series of compounds with hydrogen; hydrocarbons and boron hydrides. In comparison to carbon, which forms various chainor ring-like structures, boron, an electron deficient element, forms quasi-aromatic clusters architecturally derivable from a twelve-vertex icosahedral unit. Herein, we focus on a comparison of hydrocarbon and boron hydride based systems anchored to a gold surface via one or more thiol groups. This study includes the aspects of bonding, electrochemistry, and thermal, radiation and oxidation stabilities.