A hexafluorodimethylcarbinol terminated compound, method of making it, and a composition of matter are disclosed. The compound may have the formula (CF3)2C(OH)-L-M-R. The substructure L may be selected from an optionally substituted propenylene group (—CH2CH═CH—) and trimethylene group (—CH2CH2CH2—). The substructure M may be selected from a substituted or unsubstituted methylene chain, a substituted or unsubstituted oxyalkylene chain, and a silicon-containing chain or combination thereof. In one embodiment, M may be selected from —(CH2)n—, —(OCH2CH2)m—, and —(Si(CH3)2O)p—Si(CH3)2— (CH2)q—, wherein n is at least 1, e.g., n is up to 10, m can be at least 1, e.g., m is up to 10, p can be 0 and in one embodiment is from 1 to 10, and wherein q can be 1 and in one embodiment is from 1 to 12. The substructure R represents one of a halogen, —SH, —SZ, —S—S-M-L-C(CF3)2(OH), wherein Z represents a thiol protecting group.