present invention provides a new class of polymeric materials having utility in the formation of self assembled polymer layers on a pretreated metallic substrate . the polymeric materials are copolymers and terpolymers of styrene and styrenic derivatives containing a reactive group selected from the group consisting of hydroxy , thiol acetoxy , thioacetoxy , thiocyanate , thiolmethyl , thioacetoxymethyl , carboxy , and mixtures thereof .