Facile Monolayer Formation on SiO2 Surfaces via Organoboron Functionalities

More than they appear on the surface: The treatment of SiO2 nanoparticles under mild conditions with two organoboron derivatives led to boron-containing monolayers with different types of surface species (see picture) through the direct formation of Si-O-B bonds. The organoboron-modified SiO2 NPs showed selective reactivity towards diols.