Fluorous
chemistry has unique features and high potential applicability,
which are distinct from those of nonfluorinated organic compounds.
However, there are limited reports detailing the applications of fluorous–fluorous
interactions (fluorophilicity or fluorous affinity), likely because
these interactions are not found in nature. In the present study,
we describe the rewritable surface functionalization of a plastic
substrate based on fluorous affinity. Plastic substrates were dip-coated
with a series of methacrylate-based fluoropolymers to generate fluorous
surfaces. Fluorous-tagged small molecules [perfluoroalkyl (Rf) amines]
were immobilized on the fluorous surfaces via fluorous–fluorous
interactions, thereby introducing reactive functional groups (amino
moieties) on the surface. The amino groups displayed on the surface
(accessible by a reactant) were successfully quantified using a reactive
fluorophore, which enabled quantitative analysis of the Rf-amines
immobilized on the fluorous surface that were available for the subsequent
reaction. The effects of the molecular structures of the fluoropolymers
and Rf-amines on the surface immobilization of Rf-amines were also
investigated quantitatively. The surface coated with a fluoropolymer
containing −C8F17 most effectively immobilized
an Rf-amine comprising two −C6F13 chains.
The adhered Rf-amines were easily removed by washing the surface with
methanol, and then, they could successfully be re-immobilized on the
surface. Finally, the presented approach enabled the rewritable micropatterning
of an Rf-tagged biomolecule on a plastic surface through microcontact
printing.