Supramolecular organisation in monolayers at the air/water interface

In a short review, highlights of the progress in the understanding of the supramolecular organization in monolayers at the aqueous surface, mainly based on coupling of surface pressure measurements, Brewster angle microscopy studies and results of synchrotron X-ray diffraction at grazing incidence, are presented. Examples for the sensitive effect of the molecular structure of amphiphilic monolayers on the two-dimensional morphological texture, lattice structure, phase behaviour are discussed. New results on chiral discrimination effects, the existence of condensed phases in adsorbed monolayers, and the design of molecular recognition systems are reviewed.