Surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) experiments revealed that the chain length and evaporation rate of alkane deposition solvents altered 4-fluorobenzoic acid (4FBA) adsorption. 4FBA did not dissociate in the multilayer with the fast-evaporating n-pentane deposition solvent. However, with n-hexane and heavier solvents, the evaporation rate was slow enough to allow significant formation of 4-fluorobenzoate ions (4FBI) in the multilayer. Strong intermolecular attractions were present with heavier deposition solvents as evidenced by the incorporation of n-heptane into the 4FBI multilayer. This work will apply to many synthetic, biological, and environmental areas involving the interaction of metal nanostructures with oxygenated or halogenated hydrocarbons. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.