The in situ deposition of poly(2-alkoxyaniline)s onto oxide surfaces is reported. It is demonstrated that the identity of the substrate can have a pronounced effect on the polymerization rate of these substituted polyanilines. Poly(2-alkoxyaniline)s deposit efficiently onto indium-doped tin oxide (ITO), but deposition onto quartz proceeds slowly. The critical stage in the deposition process is shown to be polymerization of the adsorbed oligomeric species. When this polymerization process is catalyzed by the surface, polymer growth is enhanced, and we find that conducting substrates mediate this apparent catalytic process. We demonstrate selective deposition by growing poly(2-alkoxyaniline) adlayers onto patterned ITO/quartz substrates.