Localized "click" chemistry through dip-pen nanolithography

Click chemistry has been successfully performed at the interface between an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip and a silicon wafer surface to create lithographed features. This technique allows for very fast write speeds of features on the scale of an AFM tip. The choice to place the acetylene moiety on the surface has the additional advantage of prolonging the stability and hence reactivity of the acetylide component. Introducing the azide component from solution creates the versatility of this surface derivatization method to a wide range of easily prepared azides. The robustness and versatility of the click synthetic methodology is well-suited to application of this AFM-mediated technique, including the creation of localized nanostructures.