Patterned monolayers of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) on gold surfaces were obtained by microcontact printing of NHC-CO adducts and NHC(H)[HCO ] salts. The NHC-modified areas showed an increased conductivity compared to unmodified gold surface areas. Furthermore, the remaining surface areas could be modified with a second, azide-functionalized carbene, facilitating further applications and post-printing modifications. Thorough elucidation by a variety of analytical methods offers comprehensive evidence for the viability of the methodology reported here. The protocol enables facile access to versatile, microstructured NHC-modified gold surfaces with highly stable patterns, enhanced conductivity, and the option for further modification.

Surface immobilised polymer brushes containing azobenzene units were prepared using a combination of microcontact chemistry and surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerisation (SI-ATRP). These brushes were investigated using AFM, XPS and UV/vis spectroscopy. It was shown that two surfaces bearing azobenzene brushes can be glued together in the presence of a β-cyclodextrin polymer and hold as much as 700 ± 150 g cm(-2).

Polymer brushes functionalized with cyclodextrin host and arylazopyrazole guest monomers provide strong surface adhesion that is water resistent but can be deactivated by UV irradiation.

A glue, based on dynamic covalent chemistry, with a strong adhesion (2.38 kg cm ), water resistance and carbohydrate responsive reversibility is presented. Using surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP), glass and silicon surfaces were coated with copolymers functionalized with phenylboronic acids and catechols. In combination with microcontact printing (μCP) these polymer brushes give access to a carbohydrate responsive "supramolecular Velcro".