Amphiphilic diphenylmethane-3,3’-diboronic acids form stable monolayers which selectively bind monosaccharides. The selectivity order expressed as a difference in the collapse pressure between the uncomplexed and complexed boronic acid monolayer is governed by the formation of complexes consisting of two diboronic acid molecules bridged by one sugar molecule. The selectivity can be changed to correlate with the order of the association constants ofthe 1:1 complexes in homogeneous solution by adding polycations to the subphase or by diluting the monolayer with amphiphilic quaternized ammonium ions.