Mechanochemistry, whereby chemical transformations are facilitated using mechanical force,
often induces reactivity that is otherwise inaccessible. In this presentation, we will describe how exogenous forces have been used to surmount thermally-inaccessible isomerization barriers,
facilitate retro-cycloadditions, and activate latent coupling or polymerization catalysts. In general, these transformations were facilitated through the site-specific activation of mechanophores – or chemical moieties designed to respond to mechanical force in a predictable manner – embedded within high molecular weight polymer chains. Included in the discussion will be a series of extensive spectroscopic analyses and control experiments that demonstrated the aforementioned activation processes originated from forces generated under ultrasound. Finally, some perspectives on the use of mechanical force to enable novel reactivity will be discussed.
