The photoregulation of a mechanochemical polymer scission

A Mechanochemically Gated Fluorescent Probe

Mechanochemical gating of chemical reactions has promising potential for applications ranging from controlled polymer degradation to triggered drug release, but it remains underexplored. A mechanochemically gated molecular probe can be developed by masking either its receptor or reporter with a mechanophore, extending the concept of mechanochemical gating to chemical sensing. Here we demonstrate this concept by reporting a latent fluorescent probe with an anthracene-maleimide Diels-Alder adduct mechanophore as the masked fluorophore and an aza-crown ether as the receptor. Upon mechanochemical activation, the mechanophore undergoes a retro-Diels-Alder reaction, exposing the fluorophore and thus activating the probe for cations (potassium ions in particular) based on N-(9-anthracenylmethyl)aza-18-crown-6. We believe that this work establishes a general design principle for mechanochemically gated probes, advancing the development of smart stress and chemical sensing systems.

Expanding the Molecular Switches Toolbox: Photoreloadable Dithienylethene Mechanophores

Molecular switches are often thought of as nanoscopic equivalents to the electrical buttons and knobs ubiquitous in everyday life. However, mechanical force is rarely used to reversibly trigger rearrangements at the atomic scale, due to the difficulty in selectively breaking certain bonds, while keeping others intact. Here, we introduce two new mechanophores based on dithienylethene (DTE), which can be toggled between two states by ultraviolet light and sonication. Attaching various lengths of poly(ϵ-caprolactone) either to the 2,2' or the 5,5' positions of the DTE core allowed us to study the kinetics of its mechanochemical cycloreversion. We employed computational methods to understand the root causes of the observed mechano-regiochemical differences. Lastly, we show that our best performing DTE-polymer conjugate can undergo numerous switching cycles by the alternating action of electromagnetic radiation and mechanical force.

Harnessing Non-Thermal External Stimuli for Polymer Recycling

Polymeric materials have become indispensable due to their versatility and low cost, yet their environmental impact presents a significant global challenge. Traditional chemical recycling methods typically rely on heat as a stimulus; for instance, pyrolysis is a popular chemical recycling methodology which faces limitations due to high energy consumption, low product selectivity, and the generation of undesirable byproducts. In response, recent advances in the promotion of depolymerization and degradation through alternative stimuli such as light, electrochemistry, and mechanical force, have shown promising potential for more efficient and selective polymer breakdown, yielding either the starting monomers or valuable small molecules. This perspective explores key examples of these emerging strategies, highlighting their potential to improve upon current protocols and offer alternative pathways under milder conditions, while identifying significant challenges that future research must address to translate promising chemistry into viable and broadly applicable recycling strategies.

Rotaxane-Based Mechanochromic Mechanophore Enabled by Amide Bond Formation

Mechanochromic mechanophores are molecular structures that alter their absorption and fluorescence properties in response to applied mechanical force. Supramolecular mechanophores, which operate without requiring covalent bond cleavage, respond to smaller forces with instantaneous and reversible fluorescence changes. Rotaxane-based supramolecular mechanophores offer exceptional design flexibility due to their molecular structures. However, previously reported rotaxane mechanophores have predominantly relied on azide-alkyne Huisgen cycloaddition for the final rotaxane formation, which restricts the incorporation of azide or alkyne functional groups within the resulting rotaxane structure. This study presents a novel approach for synthesizing rotaxane mechanophores by constructing the axle molecule through amide bond formation between a succinimidyl ester and an amino group. Polyurethane elastomer films containing the rotaxane mechanophore exhibited a rapid and reversible on/off switch in green fluorescence from 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene upon cycle stretching. The new mechanophore demonstrated force-responsive behavior comparable to previously reported rotaxane mechanophores. The amide bond formation strategy enables the incorporation of diverse functional groups into rotaxane-based mechanophores, significantly broadening their potential applications.

A Dual-Pathway Responsive Mechanophore for Intelligent Luminescent Polymer Materials

Mechanoluminescent units, when integrated into polymer matrices, undergo structural transformations in response to mechanical force, resulting in changes in fluorescence. This phenomenon holds considerable promise for the development of stress-sensing materials. Despite the high demand for robust, tunable mechanoluminescent mechanophores for force assessment and smart force-responsive materials, strategies for their design and synthesis remain underdeveloped. In an attempt to address this challenge, we have introduced a novel dual-pathway responsive mechanophore, bis(2-(2-(tert-butyldimethylsilanyloxy)benzylidene)amino)aryl disulfides (SSTBS), which, when incorporated into polymer chains, exhibits fluorescence upon the combined application of force and chemical stimulus, irrespective of their sequence. This property is facilitated by the disulfide bond's sensitivity to mechanical force and the fluoride anion-induced desilylation and deprotonation. Notably, the force-responsive threshold of the SSTBS mechanophore can be finely tuned by TBAF treatment, as supported by both experimental and computational studies, providing a simple, yet effective means, to regulate polymer force responsiveness on demand. We believe that the strategy developed in this investigation will shed light on the design of mechanophores for the fabrication of intelligent luminescent polymer materials and advance the development of smart force-reporting systems.

Versatile Mechanochemical Reactions Via Tailored Force Transmission in Mechanophores

In polymer mechanochemistry, regulating the intrinsic mechanical reactivity of a mechanophore offers extensive opportunities in material science, enabling the development of hierarchical and multifunctional polymer-based materials. Recent advances have focused on innovating various types of mechanophores with inherent reactivity (e.g. regioselectivity and stereoselectivity). However, little attention has been given to modulating their reactivity by tailoring force transmission within mechanophores. Here, we introduce a novel approach through the implementation of a cyclic pulling geometry into an anthracene-maleimide (AM) mechanophore. This approach manipulates force transmission within the mechanophore and effectively regulates its reactivity from 0.0160 min-1 to 0.00133 min-1, achieving up to a 12-fold change. Mechanochemical coupling analysis indicates that the split force transmission along ring chains contributes to the significant difference in mechanochemical reactivity. By leveraging the distinct force transmission pathways within cyclic and linear AM mechanophores, we covalently integrate them with a spiropyran mechanophore to design tandem mechanophore systems for hierarchical mechanochemical activation. These findings highlight the efficacy and versatility of the cyclic pulling strategy in modulating mechanophore reactivity, providing valuable insights for the design of tunable multifunctional polymer-based materials.

Fatigue-Resistant Mechanoresponsive Color-Changing Hydrogels for Vision-Based Tactile Robots

Mechanoresponsive color-changing materials that can reversibly and resiliently change color in response to mechanical deformation are highly desirable for diverse modern technologies in optics, sensors, and robots; however, such materials are rarely achieved. Here, a fatigue-resistant mechanoresponsive color-changing hydrogel (FMCH) is reported that exhibits reversible, resilient, and predictable color changes under mechanical stress. At its undeformed state, the FMCH remains dark under a circular polariscope; upon uniaxial stretching of up to six times its initial length, it gradually shifts its color from black, to gray, yellow, and purple. Unlike traditional mechanoresponsive color-changing materials, FMCH maintains its performance across various strain rates for up to 10 000 cycles. Moreover, FMCH demonstrates superior mechanical properties with fracture toughness of 3000 J m-2, stretchability of 6, and fatigue threshold up to 400 J m-2. These exceptional mechanical and optical features are attributed to FMCH's substantial molecular entanglements and desirable hygroscopic salts, which synergistically enhance its mechanical toughness while preserving its color-changing performance. One application of this FMCH as a tactile sensoris then demonstrated for vision-based tactile robots, enabling them to discern material stiffness, object shape, spatial location, and applied pressure by translating stress distribution on the contact surface into discernible images.

Mechanical Regulation of Polymer Gels

The mechanical properties of polymer gels devote to emerging devices and machines in fields such as biomedical engineering, flexible bioelectronics, biomimetic actuators, and energy harvesters. Coupling network architectures and interactions has been explored to regulate supportive mechanical characteristics of polymer gels; however, systematic reviews correlating mechanics to interaction forces at the molecular and structural levels remain absent in the field. This review highlights the molecular engineering and structural engineering of polymer gel mechanics and a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of mechanical regulation. Molecular engineering alters molecular architecture and manipulates functional groups/moieties at the molecular level, introducing various interactions and permanent or reversible dynamic bonds as the dissipative energy. Molecular engineering usually uses monomers, cross-linkers, chains, and other additives. Structural engineering utilizes casting methods, solvent phase regulation, mechanochemistry, macromolecule chemical reactions, and biomanufacturing technology to construct and tailor the topological network structures, or heterogeneous modulus compositions. We envision that the perfect combination of molecular and structural engineering may provide a fresh view to extend exciting new perspectives of this burgeoning field. This review also summarizes recent representative applications of polymer gels with excellent mechanical properties. Conclusions and perspectives are also provided from five aspects of concise summary, mechanical mechanism, biofabrication methods, upgraded applications, and synergistic methodology.

Azobenzene as a photoswitchable mechanophore

Azobenzene has been widely explored as a photoresponsive element in materials science. Although some studies have investigated the force-induced isomerization of azobenzene, the effect of force on the rupture of azobenzene has not been explored. Here we show that the light-induced structural change of azobenzene can also alter its rupture forces, making it an ideal light-responsive mechanophore. Using single-molecule force spectroscopy and ultrasonication, we found that cis and trans para-azobenzene isomers possess contrasting mechanical properties. Dynamic force spectroscopy experiments and quantum-chemical calculations in which azobenzene regioisomers were pulled from different directions revealed that the distinct rupture forces of the two isomers are due to the pulling direction rather than the energetic difference between the two isomers. These mechanical features of azobenzene can be used to rationally control the macroscopic fracture behaviours of polymer networks by photoillumination. The use of light-induced conformational changes to alter the mechanical response of mechanophores provides an attractive way to engineer polymer networks of light-regulatable mechanical properties.

Mechanochemical Reactivity of a 1,2,4-Triazoline-3,5-dione-Anthracene Diels-Alder Adduct

Force-responsive molecules that produce fluorescent moieties under stress provide a means for stress-sensing and material damage assessment. In this work, we report a mechanophore based on Diels-Alder adduct TAD-An of 4,4'-(4,4'-diphenylmethylene)-bis-(1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione) and initiator-substituted anthracene that can undergo retro-Diels-Alder (rDA) reaction by pulsed ultrasonication and compressive activation in bulk materials. The influence of having C-N versus C-C bonds at the sites of bond scission is elucidated by comparing the relative mechanical strength of TAD-An to another Diels-Alder adduct MAL-An obtained from maleimide and anthracene. The susceptibility to undergo rDa reaction correlates well with bond energy, such that C-N bond containing TAD-An degrades faster C-C bond containing MAL-An because C-N bond is weaker than C-C bond. Specifically, the results from polymer degradation kinetics under pulsed ultrasonication shows that polymer containing TAD-An has a rate constant of 1.59×10-5  min-1 , while MAL-An (C-C bond) has a rate constant of 1.40×10-5  min-1 . Incorporation of TAD-An in a crosslinked polymer network demonstrates the feasibility to utilize TAD-An as an alternative force-responsive probe to visualize mechanical damage where fluorescence can be "turned-on" due to force-accelerated retro-Diels-Alder reaction.

Ion valence-gated photochromism of an aza-crowned diarylethene

A non-photochromic diarylethene 2o with an N-phenylaza-15-crown-5 was synthesized. When the nitrogen atom in the aza-crown ring was protonated, it became photochromic due to the prevention of a twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT). Although addition of a monovalent metal cation (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+, Cu+, Ag+) in acetonitrile could not stop the TICT so that it was not photochromic, the addition of a multivalent metal cation (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Al3+, Sb5+) changed 2o to be photochromic due to the strong attraction of the lone pair on the nitrogen atom. In the presence of excess Cu2+, 2o was oxidized to be EPR-detectable 2o·+, which was thermally unstable as well as inert towards visible-light irradiation. However, 2o·+ was further oxidized to be fairly stable 2o2+ by the irradiation of 365-nm light in the presence of Cu2+. ESI-MS measurements strongly suggested the generation of 2o·+ by mixing 2o with Cu(ClO4)2 in acetonitrile, and the transformation of 2o·+ to 2o2+ by successive 365-nm light irradiation. Fe3+ similarly worked as the oxidant, but the two-step oxidation of 2o to 2o2+ occurred more easily.

Coumarin Dimer Is an Effective Photomechanochemical AND Gate for Small-Molecule Release

Stimulus-responsive gating of chemical reactions is of considerable practical and conceptual interest. For example, photocleavable protective groups and gating mechanophores allow the kinetics of purely thermally activated reactions to be controlled optically or by mechanical load by inducing the release of small-molecule reactants. Such release only in response to a sequential application of both stimuli (photomechanochemical gating) has not been demonstrated despite its unique expected benefits. Here, we describe computational and experimental evidence that coumarin dimers are highly promising moieties for realizing photomechanochemical control of small-molecule release. Such dimers are transparent and photochemically inert at wavelengths >300 nm but can be made to dissociate rapidly under tensile force. The resulting coumarins are mechanochemically and thermally stable, but rapidly release their payload upon irradiation. Our DFT calculations reveal that both strain-free and mechanochemical kinetics of dimer dissociation are highly tunable over an unusually broad range of rates by simple substitution. In head-to-head dimers, the phenyl groups act as molecular levers to allow systematic and predictable variation in the force sensitivity of the dissociation barriers by choice of the pulling axis. As a proof-of-concept, we synthesized and characterized the reactivity of one such dimer for photomechanochemically controlled release of aniline and its application for controlling bulk gelation.

Photoinduced Mechanical Cloaking of Diarylethene-Crosslinked Microgels

The serial connection of multiple stimuli-responses in polymer architectures enables the logically conjunctive gating of functional material processes on demand. Here, a photoswitchable diarylethene (DAE) acts as a crosslinker in poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) microgels and allows the light-induced shift of the volume phase-transition temperature (VPTT). While swollen microgels below the VPTT are susceptible to force and undergo breakage-aggregation processes, collapsed microgels above the VPTT stay intact in mechanical fields induced by ultrasonication. Within a VPTT shift regime, photoswitching of the DAE transfers microgels from the swollen to the collapsed state and thereby gates their response to force as demonstrated by the light-gated activation of an embedded fluorogenic mechanophore. This photoinduced mechanical cloaking system operates on the polymer topology level and is thereby principally universally applicable.

Thermally Stable Photomechanical Molecular Hinge: Sterically Hindered Stiff-Stilbene Photoswitch Mechanically Isomerizes

Molecular photoswitches are extensively used as molecular machines because of the small structures, simple motions, and advantages of light including high spatiotemporal resolution. Applications of photoswitches depend on the mechanical responses, in other words, whether they can generate motions against mechanical forces as actuators or can be activated and controlled by mechanical forces as mechanophores. Sterically hindered stiff stilbene (HSS) is a promising photoswitch offering large hinge-like motions in the E/Z isomerization, high thermal stability of the Z isomer, which is relatively unstable compared to the E isomer, with a half-life of ca. 1000 years at room temperature, and near-quantitative two-way photoisomerization. However, its mechanical response is entirely unexplored. Here, we elucidate the mechanochemical reactivity of HSS by incorporating one Z or E isomer into the center of polymer chains, ultrasonicating the polymer solutions, and stretching the polymer films to apply elongational forces to the embedded HSS. The present study demonstrated that HSS mechanically isomerizes only in the Z to E direction and reversibly isomerizes in combination with UV light, i.e., works as a photomechanical hinge. The photomechanically inducible but thermally irreversible hinge-like motions render HSS unique and promise unconventional applications differently from existing photoswitches, mechanophores, and hinges.

Force-Triggered Atropisomerization of a Parallel Diarylethene to Its Antiparallel Diastereomers

This paper describes a mechanical approach to inducing the atropisomerization of a parallel diarylethene into its antiparallel diastereomers exhibiting distinct chemical reactivity. A congested parallel diarylethene mechanophore in the (R_a,S_a)-configuration with mirror symmetry is atropisomerized to its antiparallel diastereomers with C₂ symmetry under ultrasound-induced force field. The resulting stereochemistry-converted material gains symmetry-allowed reactivity toward conrotatory photocyclization.

Multicolor Chromism from a Single Chromophore through Synergistic Coupling of Mechanochromic and Photochromic Subunits

We report a versatile mechanophore exhibiting a vividly detectable, light-regulable multicolor mechanochromism. Such optical features rely on the synergistic coupling of mechanochromic bis-rhodamine (Rh) and photochromic bisthienylethene (BTE). Poly(methyl acrylate)s incorporating this bis-mechanophore can be mechanically activated under sonication. The relative distribution of the two distinctly colored and fluorescent Rh ring-opening products is altered with different magnitudes of applied force. Orthogonal use of the photochromic reaction of the BTE core can strengthen the mechanochromism and gate the mechanofluorescence in polymers. Due to increased conjugation offered by the BTE linker, both force- and light-induced optical signals display high contrast. Combined DFT simulated and experimental results reveal that the three subunits (two Rhs and one BTE) in this chromophore are activated sequentially, thus generating switchable three-colored forms and gradient optical responses.

Bond breaking of furan-maleimide adducts via a diradical sequential mechanism under an external mechanical force

Substituted furan-maleimide Diels-Alder adducts are bound by dynamic covalent bonds that make them particularly attractive mechanophores. Thermally activated [4 + 2] retro-Diels-Alder (DA) reactions predominantly proceed via a concerted mechanism in the ground electronic state. We show that an asymmetric mechanical force along the anchoring bonds in both the endo and exo isomers of proximal dimethyl furan-maleimide adducts favors a sequential pathway. The switching from a concerted to a sequential mechanism occurs at external forces of ≈1 nN. The first bond rupture occurs for a projection of the pulling force on the scissile bond at ≈4.3 nN for the exo adduct and ≈3.8 nN for the endo one. The reaction is inhibited for external forces up to ≈3.4 nN for the endo adduct and 3.6 nN for the exo one after which it is activated. In the activated region, at 4 nN, the rupture rate of the first bond for the endo adduct is computed to be ≈3 orders of magnitude larger than for the exo one in qualitative agreement with recent sonication experiments [Z. Wang and S. L. Craig, Chem. Commun., 2019, 55, 12263-12266]. In the intermediate region of the path between the rupture of the first and the second bond, the lowest singlet state exhibits a diradical character for both adducts and is close in energy to a diradical triplet state. The computed values of spin-orbit coupling along the path are too small for inducing intersystem crossings. These findings open the way for the rational design of DA mechanophores for polymer science and photochemistry.

Sterically Hindered Stiff-Stilbene Photoswitch Offers Large Motions, 90% Two-Way Photoisomerization, and High Thermal Stability

Molecular photoswitches have been widely used as molecular machines in various fields due to the small structures and simple motions generated in reversible isomerization. However, common photoswitches, as represented by azobenzene (AB), cannot combine both large motions and high thermal stability, which are critically important for some practical applications in addition to high photoisomerization yields. Here, we focus on a promising photoswitch, stiff stilbene (SS), and its derivative, sterically hindered SS (HSS). The detailed investigation of their performance with a comparison to AB demonstrated that HSS is an outstanding photoswitch offering larger motions than AB and SS, ca. 90% photoisomerization in both E-to-Z and Z-to-E directions, and significantly high thermal stability with a half-life of ca. 1000 years at room temperature. The superior performance of HSS promises its use in various applications, even where previous photoswitches have troubles and are unavailable.

Concurrent and Mechanochemical Activation of Two Distinct and Latent Fluorophores via Retro-Diels-Alder Reaction of an Anthracene-Aminomaleimide Adduct

Generally, a typical mechanochromophore produces color change through chemical transformation into one or two identical new chromophores/fluorophores under applied mechanical force. Herein, we introduce a novel mechanophore based on an anthracene-aminomaleimide Diels-Alder (DA) adduct featuring two distinct and latent fluorophores. This nonfluorescent mechanophore undergoes retro-DA reaction upon mechanochemical activation in solution and the solid state, generating the respective anthracene and aminomaleimide fragments simultaneously, both of which are highly emissive with different fluorescent colors. In addition, the aminomaleimide fluorophore exhibits sensitive fluorescence on-off response to protic solvents or polar solvents, which enables dual-color mechanochromism from this single mechanophore.

1,2-Disubstituted 1,2-Dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dione as a Dynamic Covalent Bonding Unit at Room Temperature

Dynamic covalent bonds are useful tools in a wide range of applications. Although various reversible chemical reactions have been studied for this purpose, the requirement for harsh conditions, such as high temperature and low or high pH, to activate generally stable covalent bonds limits their potential applications involving biomolecules or household utilization. Here, we report the design, synthesis, characterization, and dynamic covalent bonding properties of 1,2-disubstituted 1,2-dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dione (TETRAD). Hetero-Diels-Alder reactions of TETRAD with furan derivatives and their retro-reactions proceeded rapidly at room temperature under neutral conditions, enabling a chemically induced sol-gel transition system.

Harnessing the Power of Force: Development of Mechanophores for Molecular Release

Polymers that release small molecules in response to mechanical force are promising materials for a variety of applications ranging from sensing and catalysis to targeted drug delivery. Within the rapidly growing field of polymer mechanochemistry, stress-sensitive molecules known as mechanophores are particularly attractive for enabling the release of covalently bound payloads with excellent selectivity and control. Here, we review recent progress in the development of mechanophore-based molecular release platforms and provide an optimistic, yet critical perspective on the fundamental and technological advancements that are still required for this promising research area to achieve significant impact.

Mechanical Force for the Transformation of Aziridine into Imine

Force-selective mechanochemical reactions may be important for applications in polymer mechanochemistry, yet it is difficult to achieve such reactions. This paper reports that cis-N-phthalimidoaziridine incorporated into a macromolecular backbone undergoes migration of N-phthalimido group to afford imine under mechanochemical condition and not thermal one. The imine is further hydrolyzed by water bifurcating into amine and aldehyde. These structural transformations are confirmed by ¹ H NMR and FT-IR spectroscopic analyses. Computational simulations are conducted for the aziridine mechanophore to propose the mechanism of reaction and define the substrate scope of reaction.

Self-Strengthening of Cross-Linked Elastomers via the Use of Dynamic Covalent Macrocyclic Mechanophores

The creation of polymeric materials that self-strengthen in response to a mechanical force is an important objective in the field of polymer chemistry. Here, the mechanochemical strengthening of cross-linked elastomers using macrocyclic mechanophores that contain a dynamic covalent disulfide bond is reported. Cross-linked poly(hexyl methacrylate) (CPHMA) polymers with macrocyclic mechanophores inserted at the cross-linking points were synthesized via free radical polymerization. Tensile and swelling tests showed that the addition of the macrocyclic mechanophores to the CPHMA polymers successfully impart them with self-strengthening functionality following compression, without the need for any additives such as monomers and modifiers, or any other stimuli.

Dual-Wavelength Gated oxo-Diels-Alder Photoligation

The control of chemical functionalization with orthogonal light stimuli paves the way toward manipulating materials with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. To reach this goal, we herein introduce a photochemical reaction system that enables two-color control of covalent ligation via an oxo-Diels-Alder cycloaddition between two separate light-responsive molecular entities: a UV-activated photocaged diene based on ortho-quinodimethanes and a carbonyl dienophile appended to a diarylethene photoswitch, whose reactivity can be modulated upon illumination with UV and visible light.

The many flavours of mechanochemistry and its plausible conceptual underpinnings

Mechanochemistry describes diverse phenomena in which mechanical load affects chemical reactivity. The fuzziness of this definition means that it includes processes as seemingly disparate as motor protein function, organic synthesis in a ball mill, reactions at a propagating crack, chemical actuation, and polymer fragmentation in fast solvent flows and in mastication. In chemistry, the rate of a reaction in a flask does not depend on how fast the flask moves in space. In mechanochemistry, the rate at which a material is deformed affects which and how many bonds break. In other words, in some manifestations of mechanochemistry, macroscopic motion powers otherwise endergonic reactions. In others, spontaneous chemical reactions drive mechanical motion. Neither requires thermal or electrostatic gradients. Distinct manifestations of mechanochemistry are conventionally treated as being conceptually independent, which slows the field in its transformation from being a collection of observations to a rigorous discipline. In this Review, we highlight observations suggesting that the unifying feature of mechanochemical phenomena may be the coupling between inertial motion at the microscale to macroscale and changes in chemical bonding enabled by transient build-up and relaxation of strains, from macroscopic to molecular. This dynamic coupling across multiple length scales and timescales also greatly complicates the conceptual understanding of mechanochemistry.

A photo–thermal dual-regulated latent monomer strategy for sequence control of polymers

A photo–thermal dual-regulated latent monomer was used for the synthesis of polymers with advanced sequence structures.

From Molecules to Polymers-Harnessing Inter- and Intramolecular Interactions to Create Mechanochromic Materials

The development of mechanophores as building blocks that serve as predefined weak linkages has enabled the creation of mechanoresponsive and mechanochromic polymer materials, which are interesting for a range of applications including the study of biological specimens or advanced security features. In typical mechanophores, covalent bonds are broken when polymers that contain these chemical motifs are exposed to mechanical forces, and changes of the optical properties upon bond scission can be harnessed as a signal that enables the detection of applied mechanical stresses and strains. Similar chromic effects upon mechanical deformation of polymers can also be achieved without relying on the scission of covalent bonds. The dissociation of motifs that feature directional noncovalent interactions, the disruption of aggregated molecules, and conformational changes in molecules or polymers constitute an attractive element for the design of mechanoresponsive and mechanochromic materials. In this article, it is reviewed how such alterations of molecules and polymers can be exploited for the development of mechanochromic materials that signal deformation without breaking covalent bonds. Recent illustrative examples are highlighted that showcase how the use of such mechanoresponsive motifs enables the visual mapping of stresses and damage in a reversible and highly sensitive manner.

Oxidative regulation of the mechanical strength of a C-S bond

The mechanical strength of individual polymer chains is believed to underlie a number of performance metrics in bulk materials, including adhesion and fracture toughness. Methods by which the intrinsic molecular strength of the constituents of a given polymeric material might be switched are therefore potentially useful both for applications in which triggered property changes are desirable, and as tests of molecular theories for bulk behaviors. Here we report that the sequential oxidation of sulfide containing polyesters (PE-S) to the corresponding sulfoxide (PE-SO) and then sulfone (PE-SO2) first weakens (sulfoxide), and then enhances (sulfone), the effective mechanical integrity of the polymer backbone; PE-S ∼ PE-SO2 > PE-SO. The relative mechanical strength as a function of oxidation state is revealed through the use of gem-dichlorocyclopropane nonscissile mechanophores as an internal standard, and the observed order agrees well with the reported bond dissociation energies of C–S bonds in each species and with the results of CoGEF modeling.

The mechanical strength of individual polymer chains is believed to underlie a number of performance metrics in bulk materials, including adhesion and fracture toughness.

Visualization and Quantitative Evaluation of Toughening Polymer Networks by a Sacrificial Dynamic Cross-Linker with Mechanochromic Properties

A difluorenylsuccinonitrile-(DFSN)-based linker, whose central C-C bond is readily cleaved under mechanical stress to generate a relatively stable pink radical species, was introduced into polymer networks. DFSN-based cross-linked polymers exhibit improved mechanical properties as compared to those of the corresponding covalently cross-linked polymers owing to the energy dissipation induced by cleavage of the central DFSN bond. The toughening mechanism of DFSN-based elastomers is qualitatively visualized by the intensity of the pink color and can be quantitatively characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance. These results demonstrate that the extent of DFSN cleavage is the main factor improving the mechanical properties of the polymer networks.

A Catenane as a Mechanical Protecting Group

Mechanophores (mechanoresponsive molecules) offer great promises for the development of smart force-responsive materials. The activity of a mechanophore can be tuned by altering its structure or the composition of the actuating polymer. Here we show that a [2]catenane can act as a mechanical protecting group by diverting tensional forces away from a mechanically active functional group embedded in one of its rings. This property emerges from the mobility of the two rings of the catenane, which are able to rotate along each other until the tension equalizes over the entirety of the catenated framework. This approach provides a new way to control the mechanical activity of a mechanophore.

Methods for Exerting and Sensing Force in Polymer Materials Using Mechanophores

In recent years, polymer mechanochemistry has evolved as a methodology to provide insights into the action-reaction relationships of polymers and polymer-based materials and composites in terms of macroscopic force application (stress) and subsequent deformation (strain) through a mechanophore-assisted coupling of mechanical and chemical phenomena. The perplexity of the process, however, from the viewpoint of mechanophore activation via a molecular-scaled disruption of the structure that yields a macroscopically detectable optical signal, renders this otherwise rapidly evolving field challenging. Motivated by this, we highlight here recent advancements of polymer mechanochemistry with particular focus on the establishment of methodologies for the efficient activation and quantification of mechanophores and anticipate to aptly pinpoint unresolved matters and limitations of the respective approaches, thus highlighting possible developments.

Mechanically Gated Degradable Polymers

Degradable polymers are desirable for the replacement of conventional organic polymers that persist in the environment, but they often suffer from the unintentional scission of the degradable functionalities on the polymer backbone, which diminishes polymer properties during storage and regular use. Herein, we report a strategy that combats unintended degradation in polymers by combining two common degradation stimuli-mechanical and acid triggers-in an "AND gate" fashion. A cyclobutane (CB) mechanophore is used as a mechanical gate to regulate an acid-sensitive ketal that has been widely employed in acid degradable polymers. This gated ketal is further incorporated into the polymer backbone. In the presence of an acid trigger alone, the pristine polymer retains its backbone integrity, and delivering high mechanical forces alone by ultrasonication degrades the polymer to an apparent limiting molecular weight of 28 kDa. The sequential treatment of ultrasonication followed by acid, however, leads to a further 11-fold decrease in molecular weight to 2.5 kDa. Experimental and computational evidence further indicate that the ungated ketal possesses mechanical strength that is commensurate with the conventional polymer backbones. Single molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) reveals that the force necessary to activate the CB molecular gate on the time scale of 100 ms is approximately 2 nN.

Polymer mechanochemistry-enabled pericyclic reactions

Polymer mechanochemical pericyclic reactions are reviewed with regard to their structural features and substitution prerequisites to the polymer framework.

Fluorescent supramolecular mechanophores based on charge-transfer interactions

Supramolecular mechanofluorophores based on charge-transfer interactions between fluorescent electron-rich pyrene and electron-deficient naphthalene diimide(s) are newly developed and show turn-on fluorescence upon application of mechanical forces.

Mechano-chromic protein-polymer hybrid hydrogel to visualize mechanical strain

In a proof-of-concept study, a mechano-chromic hydrogel was synthesized here, via chemoenzymatic click conjugation of fluorophore-labeled fibronectin into a synthetic hydrogel co-polymers (i.e., poly-N-isopropylacrylamide/polyethylene glycol). The optical FRET response could be tuned by macroscopic stretch.

Mechanoresponsive Behavior of a Polymer-Embedded Red-Light Emitting Rotaxane Mechanophore

A red light-emitting photoluminescent supramolecular mechanophore based on an interlocked molecular motif is presented. The rotaxane-based mechanophore contains a cyclic compound featuring a π-extended 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) dye as a red emitter that was threaded onto a dumbbell-shaped molecule containing an electron-poor 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide quencher at its center. Through two aliphatic hydroxyl groups attached to the dumbbell and the cycle, the mechanophore was covalently embedded into the backbone of a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The mechanophore is only weakly photoluminescent in solution, indicating that the BODIPY's emission is efficiently quenched. Solution-cast films of the rotaxane-containing polymer, by contrast, show an appreciable photoluminescence, which suggests that during film formation, some of the emitting cycles are trapped in positions away from the quencher. Interestingly, the emission intensity could be significantly reduced by swelling the films with an organic solvent and the emission increased again upon drying, suggesting that such solvent plasticization causes a reversible rearrangement. In both dry and solvent-swollen films, uniaxial deformation caused a significant, reversible increase of the emission intensity, on account of mechanically induced shuttling of the emitters away from and back to the quenchers. It is shown that the properties of the polymer can be tuned by the solvent, and that such plasticizing extends the small palette of approaches that allow modification of the activation stress of a given material system.

Rotaxane-Based Mechanophores Enable Polymers with Mechanically Switchable White Photoluminescence

Three mechanoresponsive polyurethane elastomers whose blue, green, and orange photoluminescence can be reversibly turned on by mechanical force were prepared and combined to create a blend that exhibits deformation-induced white photoluminescence. The three polyurethanes contain rotaxane-based supramolecular mechanoluminophores based on π-extended pyrene, anthracene, or 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-(4-dimethylaminostyryl)-4H-pyran (DCM) luminophores, respectively, and 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide as an electronically matched quencher. Each polymer shows instantly reversible, strain-dependent switching of its photoluminescence intensity when stretched and relaxed, as deformation leads to a spatial separation of the luminophore and quencher. The present study shows that the photoluminescence color can easily be tailored by variation of the luminophore and also by combining several mechanophores in one material and demonstrates that adaptability is a key advantage of supramolecular approaches to create mechanoresponsive polymers.

Photoinduced Regulation of the Heat Resistance in Polymer Networks with Diarylethene-Conjugated Reversible Covalent Cross-Links

A cross-linker with a diarylethene-conjugated Diels-Alder adduct (DAE/DA) was synthesized and applied in a radical polymerization system to afford polymer networks whose dynamic nature can be changed reversibly by photoirradiation. Free-radical polymerization of hexyl methacrylate and the DAE/DA-based cross-linker furnished an insoluble and transparent poly(hexyl methacrylate) network with DAE/DA moieties at their cross-linking points, which undergo de-cross-linking via a thermally induced retro-DA reaction upon heating. The photoregulation of such a thermal de-cross-linking reaction in DAE/DA-based polymer networks was demonstrated by swelling experiments and tensile tests, revealing drastic changes in the heat resistance and mechanical properties upon exposure to UV-vis irradiation.

Stereochemical effects on the mechanochemical scission of furan–maleimide Diels–Alder adducts

An internal competition between mechanochemical reactions unveils the relative mechanical reactivity of furan–maleimide Diels–Alder (DA) stereoisomers.