A compound having the formula CF3—CH(OH)—CH2—(L)n—CH2—SH or a disulfide thereof. Each L is substituted or unsubstituted methylene, substituted or unsubstituted oxyalkylene, and alkyl-substituted or unsubstituted siloxanylene. The compound is free of carboxysilane linkages. The value of n is a positive integer. A metal surface having the group CF3—CH(OH)—CH2—(L)n—CH2—S— bound thereto. A method of making CF3—CH(OH)—CH2—(L)n—CH2—SH by: reacting OHC—CH2—(L)n—CH2—X with (trifluoromethyl)trialkylsilane to form CF3—CH(OH)—CH2—(L)n—CH2—X; reacting the intermediate with a thiocarbonyl compound to form an adduct; and hydrolyzing the adduct followed by protonation. X is a halogen.