The rapidly emerging field of polymer mechanochemistry creates new opportunities to understand and exploit the mechanics of polymers at the molecular level. Chemical reactions of mechanically sensitive molecules called mechanophores are activated using force transduced through covalently attached polymer chains. Many different types of covalent bond transformations have now been realized using force as the stimulus. The generation of reactive functional groups has been leveraged to mechanically strengthen materials under typically degradative processing conditions, while the release of small molecules has applications in catalysis, sensing, and delivery. Mechanochromic transformations are among some of the most useful reactions in polymer mechanochemistry as they allow stress and strain to be visualized directly. In particular, the development of mechanophores and strategies that enable multiple mechanochromic reactions is promising for being able to quantify stress and strain in polymers through discrete changes in color as a function of applied force.

Leveraging polymer mechanics at the molecular scale for chemical reactivity

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.