Abstract: An etchant is described that includes an N-heterocyclic carbene and optionally an appropriate solvent. The etchant was effective at etching a metallic surface having, for example, a metal oxide and/or metal, in both solution phase and vapour-phase. The etchant has been shown to effectively etch oxidized copper and tungsten.

Abstract: A method of selective deposition that includes disposing in a deposition chamber a patterned substrate of side-by-side areas of metal and dielectric. The deposition chamber is connected to a bubbler that contains an N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) precursor. By heating the bubbler, gaseous free NHC is generated which is pulsed into the deposition chamber, where the NHC selectively chemisorbs onto the metal surface. Annealing after deposition of NHC improves surface patterning by removing stray metal from the dielectric section.

Abstract: The present application provides stable, carbene-functionalized composite materials, and methods and uses thereof. These carbene-functionalized composite materials comprise a material having a metal surface, and a carbene monolayer that is uniform, contaminant-free (metal oxide, etc), and more stable than thiol-functionalized monolayers. Uses of such carbene-functionalized composite materials include semi-conducting materials, microelectronic devices, drug delivery or sensing applications.

Abstract: The present application provides stable, carbene-functionalized composite materials, and methods and uses thereof. These carbene-functionalized composite materials comprise a material having a metal surface, and a carbene monolayer that is uniform, contaminant-free (metal oxide, etc), and more stable than thiol-functionalized monolayers. Uses of such carbene-functionalized composite materials include semi-conducting materials, microelectronic devices, drug delivery or sensing applications.

Abstract: The present application provides stable, carbene-functionalized composite materials, and methods and uses thereof. These carbene-functionalized composite materials comprise a material having a metal surface, and a carbene monolayer that is uniform, contaminant-free (metal oxide, etc), and more stable than thiol-functionalized monolayers. Uses of such carbene-functionalized composite materials include semi-conducting materials, microelectronic devices, drug delivery or sensing applications.

Abstract: Deposition of carbene monolayers that excluded starting anions, such as iodide ions, has been achieved. Anions such as iodide are a typical contaminant in carbene hydrogen carbonate salts when synthesized using the state-of-the-art method. A method is described for eliminating substantially all starting anion (e.g., iodide) contamination from the monolayer. Air stable, purified carbenes precursors were used to deposit an intact monolayer on the surface of some industrially relevant metals. The monolayer's ability to protect these metals against, for example, oxidation has been demonstrated.

Abstract: An etchant is described that includes an N-heterocyclic carbene and optionally an appropriate solvent. The etchant was effective at etching a metallic surface having, for example, a metal oxide and/or metal, in both solution phase and vapour-phase. The etchant has been shown to effectively etch oxidized copper and tungsten.

Abstract: Deposition of carbene monolayers that excluded starting anions, such as iodide ions, has been achieved. Anions such as iodide are a typical contaminant in carbene hydrogen carbonate salts when synthesized using the state-of-the-art method. A method is described for eliminating substantially all starting anion (e.g., iodide) contamination from the monolayer. Air stable, purified carbenes precursors were used to deposit an intact monolayer on the surface of some industrially relevant metals. The monolayer's ability to protect these metals against, for example, oxidation has been demonstrated.

Abstract: The present application provides stable, carbene-functionalized composite materials, and methods and uses thereof. These carbene-functionalized composite materials comprise a material having a metal surface, and a carbene monolayer that is uniform, contaminant-free (metal oxide, etc), and more stable than thiol-functionalized monolayers. Uses of such carbene-functionalized composite materials include semi-conducting materials, microelectronic devices, drug delivery or sensing applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sensing the presence of at least one analyte in a medium, comprising disposing in the medium a functionalized composite material such that the at least one analyte is absorbed by the functionalized composite material, the functionalized composite material having at least one optical property that is modulated by absorption of the at least one analyte; and measuring modulation of the at least one optical property of the functionalized composite material; wherein modulation of the at least one optical property of the functionalized composite material is indicative of the presence of the analyte in the medium. The invention also relates to an optical sensor for sensing the presence of at least one analyte in a medium, and a functionalized composite material having at least one optical property that is modulated upon absorption of one or more analyte.

Abstract: This invention relates to materials suitable as metal scavengers and catalysts. The materials are prepared by functionalizing silicate materials such as silica or SBA-15 with a thiol or amine, or other functionalizing agent, in a sol gel process. In a preferred embodiment, the metal is palladium and the functionalizing agent is a thiol. The material may be used as a catalyst for the Suzuki-Miyaura and Mizoroki-Heck coupling reactions. The catalyst materials have extremely low metal leaching, are very stable, and are completely recyclable.