Nano-adhesive and surface primer compound and use thereof

A compound, comprising a catechol group attached to an end group E through a spacer group, wherein the catechol group, the end group E and spacer group satisfy Formula:

• wherein:
• each of L1 and L2 is C2-C6 alkyl;
• L3 is a bond or C2-C15 alkyl;
• E is selected from a group consisting of C4-C12 alkyl, phenyl, dihydroxyphenyl, catechol, and 3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl.

A method of using a compound, comprising:

• obtaining a compound comprising a catechol group attached to an end group through a spacer group;
• providing a first surface comprising at least one of a first oxide containing surface or a metal containing surface;
• applying a first layer of the compound onto the first surface, wherein the compound self-assembles by attaching the catechol group onto the first surface;
• generating a first secondary surface layer with the end group of the compound;
• applying a second layer of the compound onto a second surface comprising at least one of an oxide containing surface or a metal containing surface thereby forming a second secondary surface layer with the end group of the compound;
• and
• affixing the second surface onto the first secondary surface layer.

A composition of matter useful as an adhesive, comprising:

• a first layer of compound on a first surface, the compound comprising a catechol group attached to an end group through a spacer group, wherein the catechol group is:
• wherein:
• the spacer group is -L3-Q-L2-M-L1;
• and
• the end group is E;
• wherein the spacer group is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, non-polar, zwitterionic, cationic, anionic, and non-charged polar moiety;
• wherein each of L2 and L1 is C1-C15 alkyl, or optionally substituted C2-C15 alkenyl;
• wherein L3, when present, is a bond, C1-C15 alkyl, or optionally substituted C2-C15 alkenyl;
• wherein M is optional and when present is —(CO2)—, NRR′, —RCOH or PO4,
• wherein Q is optional and when present is —(CO2)—, NRR′, —RCOH or PO4, wherein R is H or C1-C5 alkyl;
• wherein R′ is H or C1-C5 alkyl;
• and
• wherein:
• E is selected from the group consisting of acrylate, methacrylate, epoxy, amine, substituted phenyl, unsubstituted phenyl, and catechol;
• the first layer comprises a first secondary surface layer with the end group;
• a second layer of the compound is on the first secondary surface;
• and
• the end group of the first layer interacts with the end group of the second layer to affix the first layer to the second layer.