The Restoring Force Triangle: A Mnemonic Device for Polymer Mechanochemistry

Yunyan Sun, Fangbai Xie, Jeffrey S. Moore

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In polymer mechanochemistry, mechanophores are specific molecular units within the macromolecular backbone that are particularly sensitive to tension. To facilitate understanding of this selective responsiveness, we introduce the restoring force triangle (RFT). The RFT is a mnemonic device intended to provide intuitive insight into how external tensile forces (i.e., stretching) can selectively activate scissile bonds, thereby initiating mechanically driven chemical reactions. The RFT utilizes two easily computable parameters: the effective bond stiffness constant, which measures a bond’s resistance to elongation, and the bond dissociation energy, which is the energy required to break a bond. These parameters help categorize reactivity into thermal and mechanical domains, providing a useful framework for developing new mechanophores that are responsive to force but thermally stable. The RFT helps chemists intuitively understand how tensile force contributes to the activation of a putative mechanophore, facilitating the development of mechanochemical reactions and mechano-responsive materials.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)31702-31714
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume146
Issue number46
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 20 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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