Mechanically sensitive molecules called mechanophores that produce a change in optical properties in response to mechanical force enable the straightforward visualization of stress and/or strain in polymeric materials. The relatively low concentration of mechanophores in typical mechanochromic materials, however, limits the signal that can be generated. We have previously designed a modular mechanophore platform based on masked 2-furylcarbinol derivatives for mechanically triggered molecular release. Here, we leverage this mechanophore as a mechanical trigger for the depolymerization of self-immolative polymers. In this paradigm, a single mechanochemical activation event leads to the generation of many reporter molecules, establishing a system for achieving mechanochemical amplification.

Masked 2-furylcarbinol mechanophores as mechanical triggers for depolymerization

ACS Spring 2022

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