Polymer Mechanochemistry: Force Enabled Transformations

Mechanochemical Release of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes from Flex-Activated Mechanophores

We have discovered a new flex-activated mechanophore that releases an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) under mechanical load. The mechanophore design is based upon NHC-carbodiimide (NHC-CDI) adducts and demonstrates an important first step toward flex-activated designs capable of further downstream reactivities. Since the flex-activation is non-destructive to the main polymer chains, the material can be subjected to multiple compression cycles to achieve iterative increases in the activation percentage of mechanophores. Two different NHC structures were demonstrated, signifying the potential modularity of the mechanophore design.

Polymer mechanochemistry-enabled pericyclic reactions

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

Diselenide-Containing Polymeric Vesicles with Osmotic Pressure Response

Mechanophore is a kind of functional group that can undergo chemical reactions when given mechanical force stimuli. In this paper, osmotic pressure was used as an external force to trigger a diselenide exchange reaction. A diselenide bond containing block polymer capable of self-assembling to a vesicle structure and an ester bond containing a counterpart were synthesized in this study. When NaCl was added into the solution to generate the osmotic pressure difference inside and outside vesicles, diselenide containing vesicles were ruptured, while the ester bond counterpart stayed still. Further investigation into the chemical composition of both vesicles indicated the occurrence of the diselenide exchange reaction. The osmotic pressure response of the diselenide bond enriched the diselenide dynamic covalent chemistry and offers a potential application in a controlled release system.

Preparation of mechanoresponsive hairy particles using polymeric surfactants in emulsion polymerization

We demonstrate that particles synthesized by emulsion polymerization using mechanophore-containing PS₄₆-b-PAA₁₄₂ as stabilizers can be mechanically activated, which further opens up ways for the application of polymer mechanochemistry in aqueous systems.

Sonochemical synthesis of two new nano lead(II) coordination polymers: Evaluation of structural transformation via mechanochemical approach

Two new lead(II) mixed-ligand coordination polymers, [Pb(PNO)(SCN)]n (1) and [Pb(PNO)(N3)]n (2), (HPNO=picolinic acid N-oxide) were synthesized by a sonochemical method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 were structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The thermal behavior of 1 and 2 were studied by thermal gravimetric analysis. Structural transformations of compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated through anion-replacement processes by mechanochemical method. Moreover, the effect of sonication conditions including time, concentrations of initial reagents and power of irradiation were evaluated on size and morphology of compounds 1 and 2.

Molecular Mechanochemistry: Engineering and Implications of Inherently Strained Architectures

Mechanical activation of chemical bonds is usually achieved by applying external forces. However, nearly all molecules exhibit inherent strain of their chemical bonds and angles as a result of constraints imposed by covalent bonding and interactions with the surrounding environment. Particularly strong deformation of bonds and angles is observed in hyperbranched macromolecules caused by steric repulsion of densely grafted polymer branches. In addition to the tension amplification, macromolecular architecture allows for accurate control of strain distribution, which enables focusing of the internal mechanical tension to specific chemical bonds and angles. As such, chemically identical bonds in self-strained macromolecules become physically distinct because the difference in bond tension leads to the corresponding difference in the electronic structure and chemical reactivity of individual bonds within the same macromolecule. In this review, we outline different approaches to the design of strained macromolecules along with physical principles of tension management, including generation, amplification, and focusing of mechanical tension at specific chemical bonds.

Mechanochemistry with metallosupramolecular polymers

The transduction of mechanical force into useful chemical reactions is an emerging design approach to impart soft materials with new functions. Here, we report that mechanochemical transductions can be achieved in metallosupramolecular polymers. We show that both reversible and irreversible reactions are possible and useful to create mechanically responsive materials that display new functions. The metallopolymer studied was a cross-linked network assembled from a europium salt and a telechelic poly(ethylene-co-butylene) with 2,6-bis(1'-methylbenzimidazolyl)pyridine (Mebip) ligands at the termini. The Eu(3+) complexes serve both as mechanically responsive binding motifs and as built-in optical probes that can monitor the extent of (dis)assembly due to their characteristic photoluminescent properties. Indeed, dose-dependent and reversible metal-ligand dissociation occurs upon exposure to ultrasound in solution. The absence of ultrasound-induced dissociation of a low-molecular weight model complex and in-depth studies of temperature effects confirm that the dissociation is indeed the result of mechanical activation. The influence of the strength of the metal-ligand interactions on the mechanically induced dissociation was also explored. Metallopolymers in which the Mebip ligands were substituted with more strongly coordinating dipicolinate (dpa) ligands do not dissociate upon exposure to ultrasound. Finally, we show that mechanochemical transduction in metallosupramolecular polymers is also possible in the solid state. We demonstrate mending of damaged objects through ultrasound as well as mechanochromic behavior based on metal-exchange reactions in metallopolymers imbibed with an auxiliary metal salt.

Model studies of force-dependent kinetics of multi-barrier reactions

According to transition state theory, the rate of a reaction that traverses multiple energy barriers is determined by the least stable (rate-determining) transition state. The preceding ('inner') energy barriers are kinetically 'invisible' but mechanistically significant. Here we show experimentally and computationally that the reduction rate of organic disulphides by phosphines in water, which in the absence of force proceeds by an equilibrium formation of a thiophosphonium intermediate, measured as a function of force applied on the disulphide moiety yields a usefully accurate estimate of the height of the inner barrier. We apply varying stretching force to the disulphide by incorporating it into a series of increasingly strained macrocycles. This force accelerates the reduction, even though the strain-free rate-determining step is orthogonal to the pulling direction. The observed rate-force correlation is consistent with the simplest model of force-dependent kinetics of a multi-barrier reaction.

On the mechanochemical activation by ultrasound

Chemists have discovered, and recently actively exploited, the fact that subjecting certain molecules to ultrasound waves can bring about transformations that give insight into the correlation between classical tribological processes and the mechanical action caused by collapsing microbubbles when sonic waves propagate through a liquid medium. Chemical transformations induced by ultrasound take place in solution via mechanisms that are markedly different from those associated with molecular activation in the solid state. Both fields, however, share some striking similarities and numerous sonochemical reactions can be rationalized in purely mechanical terms. This tutorial review examines the tribochemical interpretation of sonochemical reactivity and how the multifaceted action of cavitational phenomena determines molecular evolution. A series of case studies involving solids, crystals, and polymers illustrate the mechanical properties of sound waves.

Mechano-isomerization of azobenzene

We show that ultrasound-induced mechanical force isomerizes an azobenzene centered within a poly(methyl acrylate) polymer from cis to trans configuration without cleaving the azo bond. The isomerization rate was not altered by the polarity of the solvent indicating that the isomerization occurs through a non-polar, inversion transition state.

Dually degradable click hydrogels for controlled degradation and protein release

Crosslinks that can undergo click bond cleavage and ester hydrolysis were incorporated to design glutathione-sensitive, dually degradable hydrogels for degradation-mediated, controlled release of cargo molecules.

Mechanochemistry of Topological Complex Polymer Systems

Although existing since the concept of macromolecules, polymer mechanochemistry is a burgeoning field which attracts great scientific interest in its ability to bias conventional reaction pathways and its potential to fabricate mechanoresponsive materials. We review here the effect of topology on the mechanical degradation of polymer chains and the activation of mechanophores in polymer backbones. The chapter focuses on both experimental and theoretical work carried out in the past 70 years. After a general introduction (Sect. 1), where the concept, the history, and the application of polymer mechanochemistry are briefly described, flow fields to study polymer mechanochemistry are discussed (Sect. 2), results of mechanochemistry study are presented for linear polymers (Sect. 3), cyclic polymers (Sect. 4), graft polymers (Sect. 5), star-shaped polymers (Sect. 6), hyperbranched polymers and dendrimers (Sect. 7), and systems with dynamic topology (Sect. 8). Here we focus on (1) experimental results involving the topological effect on the coil-to-stretch transition and the fracture of the polymer chains, (2) the underlying mechanisms and the key factor that determines the mechanical stability of the macromolecules, (3) theoretical models that relate to the experimental observations, and (4) rational design of mechanophores in complex topology to achieve multiple activations according to the existing results observed in chain degradation.

Reversible actuation of polyelectrolyte films: expansion-induced mechanical force enables cis-trans isomerization of azobenzenes

Fabrication of light-driven actuators that can prolong their deformation without constant irradiation poses a challenge. This study shows the preparation of polymeric actuators that are capable of reversible bending/unbending movements and prolonging their bending deformation without UV irradiation by releasing thermally cross-linked azobenzene-containing polyelectrolyte films with a limited free volume from substrates. Layer-by-layer assembly of poly{1-4[4-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenylazo)benzenesulfonamido]-1,2-ethanediyl sodium salt} (PAZO)-poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) complexes (noted as PAZO-PAA) with poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) produces azobenzene-containing PAZO-PAA/PAH films. UV irradiation induces trans-cis isomerization of azobenzenes and allows large-scale bending deformation of the actuators. The actuators prolong the bending deformation even under visible light irradiation because the cis-trans back isomerization of azobenzenes is inhibited by the limited free volume in the actuators. Unbending of actuators is attained by exposing the actuators to a humid environment at room temperature. Film expansion in a humid environment produces a mechanical force that is sufficiently strong to enable the cis-trans back isomerization of azobenzenes and restore the bent actuators to their original configuration. The capability of the force produced by film expansion for cis-trans azobenzene isomerization can be helpful for designing novel polymeric actuators.

Synthesis of Janus nanoparticles via a combination of the reversible click reaction and "grafting to" strategies

A critical challenge in nanoparticle functionalization has been the preparation of polymer-grafted asymmetric (Janus) nanoparticles (diameter < 100 nm). We describe a robust and cyclic method involving a reversible click reaction and "grafting to" strategies to synthesize such nanoparticles. Mechanochemistry was used in a protection-deprotection process to separate nanoparticles cleanly that were anchored to larger particles, and the recovered azide-functionalized larger particles could be recycled as face-blocking moieties. With this combination of strategies, we prepared 15 nm silica nanoparticles that were partially functionalized with poly(methyl methacrylate). Additionally, the unique self-assembly behaviors of the resultant Janus nanoparticles were investigated in different solvents at different concentrations.

Stress-responsive polymers containing cyclobutane core mechanophores: reactivity and mechanistic insights

A primary goal of covalent mechanochemistry is to develop polymer bound mechanophores that undergo constructive transformations in response to otherwise destructive forces. The [2 + 2] cycloreversion of cyclobutane mechanophores has emerged as a versatile framework to develop a wide range of stress-activated functionality. Herein, we report the development of a class of cyclobutane bearing bicyclo[4.2.0]octane mechanophores. Using carbodiimide polyesterification, these stress-responsive units were incorporated into high molecular weight polymers containing up to 700 mechanophores per polymer chain. Under exposure to the otherwise destructive elongational forces of pulsed ultrasound, these mechanophores unravel by ∼7 Å per monomer unit to form α,β-unsaturated esters that react constructively via thiol-ene conjugate addition to form sulfide functionalized copolymers and cross-linked polymer networks. To probe the dynamics of the mechanochemical ring opening, a series of bicyclo[4.2.0]octane derivatives that varied in stereochemistry, substitution, and symmetry were synthesized and activated. Reactivity and product stereochemistry was analyzed by (1)H NMR, which allowed us to interrogate the mechanism of the mechanochemical [2 + 2] cycloreversion. These results support that the ring opening is not concerted but proceeds via a 1,4 diradical intermediate. The bicyclo[4.2.0]octanes hold promise as active functional groups in new classes of stress-responsive polymeric materials.

Bioorthogonal Click Chemistry: An Indispensable Tool to Create Multifaceted Cell Culture Scaffolds

Over the past decade, bioorthogonal click chemistry has led the field of biomaterial science into a new era of diversity and complexity by its extremely selective, versatile, and biocompatible nature. In this viewpoint, we seek to emphasize recent endeavors of exploiting this versatile chemistry toward the development of poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels as cell culture scaffolds. In these cell-laden materials, the orthogonality of these reactions has played an effective role in allowing the creation of diverse biochemical patterns in complex biological environments that provide new found opportunities for researchers to delineate and control cellular phenotypes more precisely than ever.